The iconic pub, JJ Devine’s, which features in the hit film The Banshees of Inisherin, has been relocated, rebuilt, and will be open to the public in east Galway.
The Banshees of Inisherin was the talk of the town, Ireland, and much further afield when it was filming across Achill Island and Inishmore in 2021 and subsequently nominated and awarded with numerous accolades upon the movie’s release.
JJ Devine’s pub was built specifically for the movie on Achill Island. However, as it was purpose-built, the temporary structure was removed.
Now, one Galway publican has tracked down the original set and has returned it to its former glory with plans to open it to the public in Galway.
Banshees of Inisherin pub is open to the public in Galway – the location for many iconic scenes
To the delight and wonderment of many fans of the hit movie The Banshees of Inisherin, starring Brendan Gleeson, Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, and Kerry Condon, the famous JJ Devine’s Pub from the movie is now a real place you can go for a pint.
A project which has been a secret up until recently, one Galway publican decided to take the dissembled pub that was temporarily built in Cloughmore on Achill Island back to Galway and put it to good use.
Once he received approval for the project, Luke Mee of Mee’s Bar in Ballinasloe brought the broken-down pub back to Galway and restored it to fit entirely within a large barn out the back of the pub.
JJ Devine’s Pub in Galway – you can now go for a pint
Despite a few adjustments, the structure that stands at the back of Mee’s Bar was made using all original parts of the purpose-built pub, including the walls and the glass panes.
Having played a huge part in the film and the backdrop for some of the most pivotal moments, one of the most Googled questions following the film’s success was, “Is JJ Devine’s Pub real?” and now, thanks to Luke Mee, the answer is yes.
Colin Farrell even tried to take his two sons back to the pub’s location, but by the time he did, it was gone.
Open to the public from 2 June, Colin Farrell and fans can now visit JJ Devine’s Pub in the Kilkerrin area of Ballinasloe in east Galway.
Driving interest to the area – driving interest to the area
With its launch on Friday, 2 June, the hope is to drive traffic to the area and boost the local economy.
Megastar Taylor Swift expressed a want to visit the pub, surprised that the pub was purpose-built and hadn’t existed on Achill Island for years.
As such, Luke Mee says the first free pint has been reserved for the ‘Shake It Off’ star should she visit.
He said, “She would be very welcome to come to see the pub and enjoy herself and enjoy JJ Devine’s first free pint”.
An invitation has also been extended to the cast and crew of The Banshees of Inisherin to come down and enjoy a pint in the rebuilt, refurbished, and relocated version of JJ Devine’s Pub.
