Donegal VFI honour Brennan sisters at annual dinner

There was a night of celebration at the recent Donegal VFI dinner dance as Patricia Brennan and her late sister Nan, of Brennan’s Criterion Bar in Bundoran, were honoured by the county VFI for their long service to the pub trade in the town.

Patricia with VFI President Padraic McGann and the VFI Donegal committee, Martina Barrett, Martin Gibbons and Alice Lynch

Martin Gibbons, Chair of Donegal VFI, welcomed the acknowledgement saying “Patricia and Nan have given exceptional service to the pub trade and it’s only right and appropriate that as we are having the annual dinner dance in Bundoran, that their service be acknowledged. Nan (RIP) was secretary and treasurer of the local vintners group for over 50 years. Brennan’s Criterion Bar on Main Street, as well as being the oldest pub in Bundoran, is one of the most iconic pubs in the county and indeed the entire country and was such a popular spot until it finally closed its doors on September 30th this year”.

Philip McGlynn of the Great Northern Hotel added ‘the “two sisters” always had a welcome for everyone that walked through the door of the pub – “it was a sad day for the town when Nan died in 2017 and subsequently when Patricia made the decision to retire and close the doors earlier this year. However, we are very happy for her and wish her well and many happy years of retirement”.

Brennan’s Criterion Bar first opened on St Patrick’s Day in the year 1900 with Nan and Patricia taking over the running of the pub from their parents. The two sisters have featured in countless news articles, tv shows, the movie “The Irish Pub” and most recently in the Hophouse 13 TV ad, which was filmed shortly before Nan’s death.

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