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Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: grandchildren Daniel, Paddy, son John, grandson Billy, Eugene and son Patrick Creagh. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
A MUCH loved Tralee publican has celebrated 60 years behind the bar recently with a get together of family and friends.
In 1956, Eugene ‘Eugie’ Creagh took over The Ballymac Bar in Boherbee and has been in business on the street ever since.
Surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, Eugie, now 84, celebrated his diamond jubilee of pulling pints and serving punters.
“He’s a workaholic,” said his son John Creagh. “He worked very hard over the years and it’s great that he’s here today to share a party with all of us,” said John.
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Over those 60 years, Eugie and his wife Bernie raised seven children – five daughters, Jackie, Maudie, Gena, Sandra and Helena and two sons, John and Patrick.
Also joining Eugie were grandchildren, Daniel, Paddy and Billy who will no doubt carry the torch for the next generation of Creaghs.
While working at the bar back all those years ago, Eugie at the age of 24 acquired the pub from a Ballymac man named Tom Leen – who gave the pub the name – who was heading off to New Zealand.
In the job 12 months at that stage, Eugie decided to go for it and never looked back. Though it’s been called ‘Creagh’s’ and ‘Eugie’s’ by some, the family never thought to change the name.
“He reared a big family out of it and if there was eight days in the week he’d have worked the eight,” said John Creagh. “He was very good to all of us and it’s great that we can give him a party for him today.”
A lifelong John Mitchels man and indeed former player, many a victory was toasted in The Ballymac through the decades.
“A lot of Mitchels men would have come through the doors over the years and all other clubs in Tralee were made welcome as well,” said John.
Before the big supermarket chains came on the scene, the Creagh’s also ran a shop that would have been another focal point of the community in the area.
“He would have looked after many a family down the years. We are very proud of him,” said John. Scroll down for photos…
Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: Valerie and Mark Riordan, Helen Higgins, Eileen Sugrue and Helena Creagh. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: John O’Carroll, Liam Canavan and Izzet Vjemal. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: Billy and Linda Creagh and Valerie O’Riordan. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: Julie Wood, Timmy and David Cronin. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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There was plenty of song to celebrate 60 years of Eugie Creagh in the Ballymac Bar. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: John O’Sullivan, Danny Leen, Michael Cournane and JP Brick. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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Celebrating Eugie Creagh’s 60 years in the Ballymac Bar were, from left: Hugh and Maureen Fitzgibbon and Liam Scanlon. Photo by Gavin O’Connor.
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