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Shirra, James

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33 Wilson Street, Glasgow.

James Shirra's Bar

James Shirra’s Bar, 1889.

James Shirra wine and spirit merchant traded from this old pub as early as 1863. In order to keep up with the ever growing trend that so many pubs in the area had been up-graded Mr Shirra transformed the old pub which was in desperate need of renovation. He was resolved to remodel and reconstruct the whole interior. His biggest task was to lower the floor some two feet, with was successfully completed followed by the transportation of the bar counter which was made from the finest mahogany in the shape of a horse shoe, this shape of bar was then the very popular.

The passage round the bar was wide enough to admit a brisk trade, little snug’s took up the rest of the floor space. Numerous pictures of sporting events and celebrities hung round the walls of the bar parlour or snuggery that was reserved for friends of Mr Shirra’s. A fine open staircase leads to the large hall above which accommodates 130 people, for social meetings, presentations and smoking concerts.

Mr Shirra stocked good quality liquors, including Allsopp’s and Salt’s beer, his 15 year old Scotch whisky “Perfection” was his specialty, and Ballochmyle famed brand of old Scotch, Renault’s brandy 1879, he did a roaring trade in snacks such as sausages, Welsh rarebits, hot pies which was served from the front bar.

Mr Shirra’s grandfather was proprietor of the Burnfoot Distillery, Kippen, Perthshire and his father traded as a wine and spirit merchant in the Gallowgate from 1852. James was also born on the Gallowgate. The old pub on the Gallowgate was called Shirra’s Vaults and later became the property of David Graham of Graham & Sons. This firm owned pubs all over the city of Glasgow including 552 Gallowgate (The Four Ways,) 131 Broad Street, 5 Marlborough Street, 251 Gallowgate (The Haven,) 37-45 Saltmarket (Graham’s Bar,) 1-3 Saltmarket, 18 Graeme Street now Bell Street (House of Lords,) 393-95 Paisley Road, 58 Bridge Street (The Laurieston Bar,) and 17 Moore Street.

In 1875 James Shirra was trading at 552 Gallowgate, Mrs Janet Shirra had two pubs one at 216 Duke Street at the corner of Bellgrove Street and 90 Green Street, Calton.

The Shirra family sold up around 1894 when Thomas A Pirie took over the Wilson Street pub. Robert Mill was landlord in 1912 followed by James L Bennie, the pub closed down when the World War started and never opened up again as a public house.

Ship Inn Bar

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31-35 Kelvinhaugh Street, Glasgow.

Ship Inn Bar Kelvinhaugh Street

Sutherland, Ship Inn Bar. Thanks to Alan Calder for this wonderful image.

Mr Calder’s father and a couple of his uncles are in the photograph. The bus was about to leave for Hampden Park for a Scotland V England game.

There has been a public house on this site since 1862. The first licensees’ were brothers John and Ronald McIntyre, and traded under the title of J&R McIntyre, Wine & Spirit Merchants.

The brothers first acquired a licence to sell wines and spirits at 179 Main Street, Anderston from 1860. The following year they opened another pub at 43 Richard Street, John and Ronald lived at 33 Kelvinhaugh Street this house was was situated next door to there new public house in 1862.

In 1870 the brothers were trading as wholesale and retail wine and spirit merchants, by this time they were also trading at Cranstonhill where they had their offices and stores.

John was now living at 4 Gray Street and Ronald at 9 Minerva Street.

Business kept growing by 1875 Ronald was licensee for premises at 35 Kelvinhaugh Street, 10 Cranston Street and 50 Elderslie Street while John was licensee at 546 Dobbies’ Loan and 400 New City Road, 179 Main Street, Anderston.

In 1885 J & R McIntyre were trading from 179 Main Street, Anderston; Cranstonhill; 50 Elderslie Street; 400 New City Road; 546 Dobbies’ Loan; 28 Burnside Street; 43 Richard Street; 49 Piccadilly Street; 175 Finnieston Street (Dirty Dicks); 35 Kelvinhaugh Street; Offices and stores at 16 Cranston Street, Cranstonhill. A great achievement for two brothers who started out in 1860.

In 1886 the pub at 35 Kelvinhaugh Street was sold to Adam Sutherland and a new name was put above the door. “Sutherland” with wines and spirits at each side of his name. Mr Sutherland was also a wine and spirit merchant, when he took over the pub in 1886 he was living at 49 Old Dumbarton Road.

Adam passed away in 1893 at which time his widow Robina took over the licence. Robina acquired the certificate 19th April 1893, and had an annul rent of £62 for the premises. Mrs Sutherland continued as licensee until after the First World War and passed away in 1920.

Her son Adam then took over the running of the pub as executor, he was assisted by his two sister while he was on Military Service. When the Second World War broke out Peter Sutherland was running the pub.

In 1950 John Barbour was licensee, he also ran a pub at 278 Main Street, Bridgeton (Park Bar.) One of the last licensee was a Mr Allan Anderson, he worked for Tennent Caledonian Breweries. The pub was demolished in the 60s.

Sheridan Knowles Tavern

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Green Street, Calton, Glasgow.

This old Tavern was named after James Sheriden Knowles 1784-1862.

Mr Knowles was an Irish dramitist and actor born in Cork 12th May 1874. His carreer sent him all over Ireland and Britain. One of his renowned performances in Glasgow was at the Theatre Royal “The Hunchback.” An old play bill advertising this anounced that “A Performance of James Sheridan Knowles “William Tell” at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, “The Hunchback” by James Sheridan Knowles.

Shawfield Bar

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291-93 Main Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow.

Interior of the Shawfield Bar Main Street Bridgeton

The interior of the Shawfield Bar early 1980s.

The Japanese are responsible for the introduction of the Karaoke machine. While years gone by the locals here may have had a wee singsong or one of the locals played a tune on the ivories. By the 1980s Karaoke, Japanese for “empty orchestra” had arrived in many of Glasgow’s pubs and clubs.

The picture above show the locals having a good old knee’s up at one of the many hundreds of songs on the Karaoke machine.

Do you remember this event or anyone in the picture. If so please get in touch.

The Shawfield Bar sat on the north side of the Rutherglen bridge at the corner of Main Street and Trafalgar Street. There has been a pub on this site since at least 1845, owned by city publican James Mitchell.

Other members of the Mitchell family owned this pub until 1897. Well-known publican and a renowned member of the Scottish Licensed Trade John Adams then took over the pub.

John T Adams

Mr John T Adams.

Mr Adams also owned The Auld Hoose in Cathcart also known as Granny Robertsons.

The Auld Hoose sat at 123 Castle Road, Cathcart, and was taken over by John T Adams in 1900. The two pubs had telephones connected Corporation no. y355 and National 2716, all the latest football results were received at a moments notice.

Mr Adams was treasurer of the Clyde Football Club, he was also a member of the Lodge Union and Crown of Free Masons, also the Brave Old Oak, Free Gardeners, Bridgeton Burns Club and the Cathcart Curling Club. He was a breeder of Collie Dogs and in 1901 he had one of his dogs stolen which cost him a massive £20.00, a lot a money in those days.

The Shawfield Bar had six large plate glass windows beautifully engraved. The bar counter, bar fittings, cornices and frescoes were a work of art. The counter panels were of walnut and oak picked out with gold, the doors and screens were of maple and mahogany wood and was lit by five massive oxydised silver pendant lights.

John gave up the licence in Main Street, Bridgeton in 1906 and concentrated on the Auld Hoose, Cathcart. However Cathcart went dry in 1921 and the Auld Hoose was closed down, locals then had to travel to the Queens Park Cafe, Victoria Road for a drink. The pub was converted to a bakery shop called Kirkwood’s

Saloon Bar

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The Saloon Bar unkown address

Do you known where this pub was situated. Did you drink in the Saloon or do you know anything about it, then please share your comments. Please get in touch.