The Old Empire Bar

68 Saltmarket, Glasgow. G1 5LD.Tel: 01415520844.

The Old Empire Bar. 1991.

Dominick McCreadie traded here in 1877, owing to the City Improvement Trust Mr McCreadie was moved from the opposite side of the street where he traded since 1863.

He lived with his wife and family in nearby Steel Street for over twenty years. At the beginning of the 1900s Mr McCreadie moved to better accommodation in Kingsley Avenue, Crosshill.

Dominick was born in Ireland in 1829 he married Irish lass Catherine, their three sons John Dominick and James all worked with their father in the pub after leaving school. James went on the work as a clerk in a lawyers office but was soon managing the Old Saltmarket Vaults.The family were fortunate enough to have a domestic servant Margaret O’Hara from Sligo and their niece Hannah an unmarried Irish girl helping around the house.

Son John A McCreadie went on to own his own pub at 75 Greendyke Street, John was a great football player and assisted in the foundation of the Celtic Football Club. In the winter of 1907 John caught a chill and died a fortnight later as a result in 1908, his wife Catherine then took over the licence the her son John.

At the end of the 1800s son James was managing the Old Saltmarket Vaults assisted by head barman James Kiernan who was a faithful worker and friend for over 6 years before leaving for America in 1907. The pub was situated in one of the most roughest part of the city, every Tuesday and Friday crowds of workers from the nearby hide market and carriers quarters flocked here to sample McCreadie’s special blend of old Scotch whisky.

The rent for the premises in 1899 was £80.00 per annum.

When the Crawford’s took over the pub before the Second World War the pub was renamed Crawford’s Bar, the family continued in the pub until the 1960s.

The Old Empire Bar, August 2005.

Mr James Sweeney.

Barman James Sweeney worked with Dominick McCreadie in the old premises before they were removed to the opposite side of the road, he moved with the McCreadie family serving with them for thirteen year. Sweeney then went on to work with publican Thomas Neeson in Greendyke Street. He then went on to run his own pub the Auld Hoose in Canal Street.

Licence Holders.

1991 Francis Costello.

1971 Joseph Gartshore Scott.

1960 Margaret Crawford.

1937 James Crawford.

1930-1913 Daniel McGuinness.

1913-1877 Dominick Joseph McCreadie.

1976-1863 Dominick McCreadie.