Our History

The most recognised name in the industry, The Chawke Group consists of thirteen established Irish bars and restaurants that offer  superior service, high quality local produce and a true traditional Irish pub experience to all.

A leader in the hospitality sector, The Chawke Group continues to grow and adapt keeping the consumers experience at the core of every decision made. Each venue remains localized to the requirements of its surrounding communities. No two venues are the same.

Timeline

1959
Bill Chawke opens in Adare
Bill Chawke opens in Adare

On the 12th of May 1959, Bill Chawke and his wife, Maura, moved from their farm in Knockannes to the beautiful village of Adare, Co. Limerick. It was on this date, that Bill Chawke opened for trading in his new pub.

Four of their six children followed them into the pub trade, as The Chawke Group later expanded to include pubs in Clonmel, Tipperary, and of course, Dublin.

1965
Charlie Chawke starts working in Davy Byrnes
Charlie Chawke starts working in Davy Byrnes

At just 16 years old, and upon completing his Intercert, Charlie Chawke moved from the village of Adare to Dublin to work in the bar trade. He began working in well known pub, Davy Byrnes.

1970
Charlie purchases first pubs
Charlie purchases first pubs

After spending half a decade working in the Dublin bar trade, Charlie purchased his first pubs in 1970, The Junction on Camden Street and The Bridge House, In Dolphins Barn. He co-owned both bars for four years with his late friend, John Mcgrath.

1982
The Goat bar joins the Chawke Group
The Goat bar joins the Chawke Group

The Goat Bar, a landmark pub located in the heart of Goatstown, was purchased in 1982.

True to its name, The Goat played home to a real goat, Gertie, who acted as a mascot and delighted in keeping visitors entertained. She even had three kids (Dinny, Miley and Biddy) and was part of the surroundings until 1983 when she was released into the wild around the Dublin Mountains.

She is still fondly remembered by the owner, staff and visitors and her memory endures through the bronze statue of a Goat that now stands outside the pub

1993
The Oval
The Oval

Historical pub, The Oval, on Middle Abbey Street became part of The Chawke Group in 8th of November 1993. It was the first Chawke Group pub located in Dublin city centre.

The Oval was established in 1822 and is one of Dublin’s longest running pubs. The Oval is unique amongst Dublin pubs in that it was caught up in the maelstrom of revolution during the 1916 Rising, again during the Civil War in 1922, and though severely damaged has survived as one of Dublin’s great licensed landmarks.

1994
The Dropping Well
The Dropping Well

Located on the banks of the dodder in Dublin 6, The Dropping Well officially opened on the 17th of January 1994.

Long before The Dropping Well was established, it was home to a morgue, thriving silk industry, two corn mills, an iron mill, and a paper mill. Since first licensed in 1847 the Dropping Well has enjoyed eight ownerships and is still proudly part of The Chawke Group.

The Lord Lucan
The Lord Lucan

The Lord Lucan became the fourth pub in The Chawke Group in 1994. The charming and traditional pub is located in the suburban area of Finnstown, just outside of Lucan Village.

Named after the famous 7th Earl of Lucan, The Lord Lucan has been extensively renovated throughout the years while still keeping many traditional elements in tact. If you drop in today, you’ll still find a photo of the famous Lord Lucan hanging in the lounge.

2000
Bill Chawkes
Bill Chawkes

On the 17th of May 2000 Charlie proudly purchased his father’s pub, Bill Chawke’s in Adare from his sister Mary. It was the first of our two pubs currently based in Charlie’s home village of Adare.

2003
The Bank on College Green
The Bank on College Green

The Bank Bar and Restaurant was opened in May of 2003. Located on College Green in the heart of Dublin city, the building which was designed by one of the British empires leading architectural lights, William Henry Lynn, was once described as one of the foremost jewels of Victorian Dublin. The interior, once the main banking hall is stunningly ornate and a must visit when in Dublin city centre.

2005
The Old Orchard Inn
The Old Orchard Inn

One of the best-known pubs on the south side of the city, The Old Orchard Inn in Rathfarnham became the 7th pub in Chawke group on the 25th of October 2005.

Originally established in 1972, The Old Orchard has been extensively refurbished to highlight the pubs original features but keep its authentic atmosphere intact.

2008
Aunty Lenas
Aunty Lena hand out sweets to two men

On the 12th of May 2008, Charlie purchased Lena Chawkes bar in Adare from his brother Billy Chawke. He later renamed the bar Aunty Lena’s, in memory of his late aunt.
Originally known as Chawke’s bar of Adare, Lena Chawke inherited the bar from her mother Nora in 1940. The bar has now been in the Chawke family for four generations.

Aunty Lenas bar and Lounge

2012
Searson’s of Baggot Street
Searson’s of Baggot Street

Searson’s of Baggot Street officially opened on the 4th of October 2012. The landmark Dublin pub was forced to close its doors in 2011, but with extensive renovations, The Chawke Group were proud to return a former great to its former glory.

A historic Dublin pub forever known as a meeting point for business networking and most certainly the place to be on match days. Step inside and you will experience a beautifully restored bar, with excellent service, the finest food and drink, and that friendly, warm and inviting atmosphere that is synonymous with the Chawke name.

Guinness time at Searsons

2018
Adare Courthouse Renovated
Adare Courthouse Renovated

In 2018, we renovated the neighboring courthouse to Aunty Lenas Bar. Originally built in 1836, the courthouse was previously abandoned for 30 years. We wanted to give tourists another reason to visit the most picturesque village in Ireland, by offering a free museum detailing the history on this beautiful village.

Now the Courthouse doubles as a themed function room, available for private hire and special occasions, as well as a museum showcasing the history of Adare.

2020
Fired Up Wood fire Pizza
Fired Up Pizza outside the Goat Bar and Grill

Fired Up emerged when the country of Ireland was on its knees, struck down by a pandemic. With many pubs, restaurants and shops closed, and with most people out of work, we set out on a journey to get back to work, and back to business.

Fired Up Woodfire Pizza was created in May 2020, where we began serving authentic wood fire pizzas out of two repurposed shipping containers placed outside the front of The Goat Bar in Goatstown, Dublin.

Since day one, we have strived to marry the true Italian classic with the best Ireland has to offer, to bring you a pizza experience like no other.

Containers being lifted into the Goat

2021
Fired Up Rathfarnham
The Little Orchard, Rathfarnham

On the 26th of June 2021, we opened the doors of Fired Up Pizza’s second location, in Rathfarnham. Although still in the middle of the pandemic, Fired Up Pizza Rathfarnham created a sense of normality for us all, and a new outdoor space for people with a love of pizzas.

The Little Orchard under construction

2022
BOX’D Coffee
BOX’D Coffee, based in Goatstown and Milltown

Still in the middle of the pandemic, we opened BOX’D Coffee in two Dublin based locations in 2022. BOX’D Coffee is still operating in Milltown, Dublin, proudly serving specialty coffee.

2023
Fired Up Pizza Donnybrook
Fired Up Pizza Donnybrook

Our Covid baby is all grown up! Fired Up Pizza’s third location opens in Donnybrook on the 12th of October 2023 – just over three years on from when we first opened our doors in Goatstown.

After months of hard work, dedication (and a lick of paint), we finally saw the vision of our first brick and mortar store come to life. It offered our customers a new space to sit-in and enjoy their all time Fired Up favourites.

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