McGovern’s Bar

47 Norfolk Street corner of 2-4 Portugal Street, Gorbals, Glasgow.

McGovern’s Central Bar in the 1960.

This well known Gorbals pub was established in 1880 by wine and spirit merchant James O’Brien. As well as being landlord of the pub he was also a Fish merchant and traded from premises in 62 Portugal Street. During this time he lived at 9 May Terr, Mount Florida. After five years serving the locals he sold the pub to Mr A McFarlane, the following year the business was taken over by wine & Spirit Merchant John Walker Buchanan.

Mr Buchanan was a well known and respected member of the licensed trade, he also ran another pub at 332 Scotland Street. John W Buchanan traded here from 1891 to 1924, paying an annul rent of £95.00.

The Tyr-Owen bar, with Mr Bernard Gallagher standing outside. 1920s.

We next find a Mr Bernard Gallagher, one of the many Irishmen to run the pub. Mr Gallagher also had a pub at 62 Bernard Street at the corner of Queen Mary Street, Bridgeton called the Queen Mary Vaults. Mr Gallagher continued to run the pub until his death in the 1930s. When Bernard Gallagher took over this popular bar, he renamed it The Tyr-Owen bar, after his brother Owen who was killed in the Railways in the USA.

The pub was then taken over by James McVey as one of the trustees. He continued to run both pubs along with his own public house at 126 Parliamentary Road.

After the Second World War Mrs Rose McGovern was landlady, the McGovern family continued to serve the locals here until it was finally demolished in the 1960s. Other member of the family to run the pub were Patrick L McGovern and Mrs J McGovern.

Do you know anything about the families that ran this popular public house. If so please get in touch.

The last night at the Garryowen Bar, Norfolk Street, in the picture is Mr & Mrs Heraghty, D A MacLean (Phoenix); H Gallagher (Gallagher’s Bar); J McKell (Turf Bar); S Falconer (The Matelot); E O’Doherty (Hampden Bar); P McGovern (Central Bar); J McCann (Mally Arms). 1970s.

Gorbals Ward Licensed Trade Association 1965. back left to right J Thom, M J Heraghty, N Douglas, C Sweeney, J K Webster. front P McGovern, H Gallagher, S Falconer, R McCrudden.

This 1966 photograph was taken during the Glasgow Licensed Trade Association’s Gorbals Ward annual outing to Glendaruel and |Largs. From left to right…

Patrick McGovern (McGovern’s Bar); Mrs MacDonald (Rigg’s Bar); T Boyle (The Glen Bar); Miss L McPherson; R Boyle (The Garryowen); Miss A Smith; N Douglas (The Glen Bar) and Miss M Wilkin.