Leo's Tavern

Leo's Tavern (Irish: Tábhairne Leo) is a restaurant and pub in the Donegal Gaeltacht, known as the home of music artists Clannad, Enya and Moya Brennan.[1] The pub opened in 1968 and held Irish traditional music sessions nightly, becoming the musical starting block for the children of Leo Brennan, the pub's founder.[2]

Leo's Tavern
Tábhairne Leo
Leo's Tavern in 2005
Restaurant information
Established1968
Owner(s)Leo Brennan (founder)
Bartley Brennan (proprietor)
Food typeIrish traditional, European
CityMeenaleck, The Rosses
CountyDonegal
CountryIreland
Other informationPub, music venue, tourist attraction
Websitewww.leostavern.com

History

Origins

At the end of Ireland's showband era, musician Leo Ó Braonáin settled with his wife Máire "Baba", opening Tábhairne Leo in 1968.[3] The pub became a gathering place for musicians and singers to take part in Irish traditional music sessions. While working shifts behind the bar, Leo's children Máire (Moya), Ciarán, Pól Ó Braonáin, Noel, and Pádraig Ó Dúgáin would accompany their father on stage to tell old Irish stories, or seanchas, to the locals.[4] While touring in later years as Celtic/Folk band Clannad, the siblings, their uncles, and their younger siblings Brídín, Eithne (Enya), Olive, and Deirdre would perform.

Clannad performing in Leo's in 2005.

The pub has also hosted guests and performers such as Bono[5] (who recorded the music video for In a Lifetime nearby with Clannad), The Edge, Paul Brady, Christy Moore, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Mary Black. Tour buses of tourists began to visit the pub to hear Leo sing and tell stories.[6]

Expansion

The pub was renovated in 2002.[7] It now also has a restaurant and features Gold, Platinum and Diamond discs and memorabilia associated with Clannad, Moya and Enya.[8] The pub was reopened by Moya Brennan with her parents and siblings with music from the family and other musicians.

Concerts
Interior of Leo's Tavern, 2005

The tavern was celebrated during the 2005 Errigal Arts Festival, at which Leo and Baba Brennan were awarded the Freedom of Donegal by Donegal County Council.[9] The ceremony, held on 14 July 2005, was preceded by a series of concerts called Oidhreacht (Irish for Legacy). These concerts featured Leo and Baba's daughters Moya, Brídín, Enya, Deirdre and Olive performing at St. Mary's Church in Derrybeg. A jazz concert was also held, featuring Pól Brennan, Paddy Cole and their bands. Some of these events were broadcast on TG4 and RTÉ Television.

Leo's Tavern marked its 40th anniversary in 2008 and held a three-day celebration. A concert featuring Clannad, Brídín Brennan, Deirdre Brennan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Manus Lunny was also held, with music from Leo himself.[10]

Leo Brennan died on 22 June 2016, aged 90.[11]

References
  1. Leo's Tavern. Official website
  2. "Leo's Tavern". DiscoverIreland.ie. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  3. "Moya (Máire) Brennan interview". Rambling House. Archived from the original on 28 January 2010. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  4. "Interview with Moya Brennan". irishexaminerusa.com. Irish Examiner USA. 9 March 2010.
  5. "Brídín Brennan". MDM Artist Management. Archived from the original on 28 April 2001. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  6. "Clannad ón Ardán". TG4. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2010 – via video.google.com.
  7. "Our History". Leo's Tavern. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  8. "Lounge". Leo's Tavern. Retrieved 23 April 2022.
  9. "Annual Report 2005" (PDF). Donegal County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011.
  10. "News Archives". MoyaBrennan.com. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
  11. "Leo Brennan, dad of Enya and Clannad, dies aged 90". RTÉ. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
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