Situated at the lower end of the town Maginn’s of Castlewellan is definitely the new hot spot in Castlewellan with local and new customers, coming far and wide to enjoy everything this refreshing new bar complex, on the towns Main Street, has to offer.
Whether you want some quality affordable food, relax with friends and family over a drink or dance the night away to live bands then this outstanding family run bar has something for everyone.
Renowned for its friendly atmosphere, the whole building has been completely refitted with new bars on different levels, a function room and attractive features such as the new stain glass ceiling, sweeping wooden stair cases with unique carvings, comfortable snug style seating with lavish upholstery and air conditioning throughout.
Where we came from
Although from the outside Maginns of Castlewellan may not have appeared to have changed too much, appearances can be deceptive and an extensive rebuilding and refurbishing programme, costing well in excess of £2 m has resulted in a spacious 5000 sq. ft two storey bar complex.
The Maginn family are no strangers to the town, in fact the bar is steeped in history with the business first being established by the family in 1919 when Brendan’s great uncle, John Maginn a well known horse dealer, bought the pub beside what is known as the ‘Town Dam’.
In 1919 John Maginn had his stables at the rear of the pub as well as a bottling plant for making all flavours of minerals. John was also a Spirit Wholesaler and his delivery vans were to be seen on most roads.
In 1925 Con Maginn, a nephew of John came from Ballymartin to work for his uncle and within the next few years Con's brother James (Brendan's father) also came to work for the business.
Some 15 years later Con and James took over the business from John who continued to trade in horses until he retired to Dublin. The business now became known as Maginn Brothers.
When Maginn Brothers bought the Donard Bar in Newcastle in 1953 Con Maginn moved to Newcastle to look after the business there. The business flourished in both towns and the bottling and wholesale departments based in Castlewellan grew with Maginn Brothers supplying their bottled Guinness and minerals and gradually other beers and spirits to many bars in the local area and as far as Kilkeel.
Although the bottling of Guinness in Castlewellan stopped in 1975 the wholesale business continued. The early 80’s saw James retiring and the business in Castlewellan was taken over by his sons Patrick and Brendan.
It was then the premises in Castlewellan had its initial renovation. This included the building of kitchens, which led to Maginn’s developing the catering and it soon built up a reputation for great food, one that still remains with them to this day. The new upstairs lounge became a popular venue on the social scene offering a varied menu of entertainment such as discos, live bands and comedians including the now famous Paddy Kielty.
Brendan and Monica took over Maginn’s of Castlewellan twelve years ago, when his brother Patrick opened his own bar in Newcastle, the now very successful pub, “Quinn's.”
Several years later when the wholesale business ended, Brendan and Monica got their plans underway for the major refurbishment of Maginn’s of Castlewellan, which finished in 2006. Three generations later the family are still working hard to deliver the best to their customers, just like their fathers and mothers before them.