Location and Structure

McKenna's Bar is a two-storey licensed premises located at the corner of Garmoyle Street and Dock Street in the Sailortown area of Belfast. The establishment features a public bar on the ground floor and a lounge bar on the first floor.

Historical Background

The site of McKenna's Bar has housed a licensed premises since the early 1900s. Originally known as O'Boyles in 1901, it was renamed Turley's in 1918. By the late 1920s or early 1930s, the bar became known as O’Rourke’s Public House, under the ownership of J.F. O'Rourke, who took over from P. Hefferon. During the Second World War, O'Rourke's Bar was a thriving pub in Belfast's Sailortown District. Since then, the bar has operated under various names over the years, including The White Horse, McMahon’s, and The Clarendon Bar.

Recent Ownership Changes

In November 2023, Brian McKenna, who had purchased the pub when it was known as Buffer McMahon’s, announced that McKenna's Bar was on the market for an undisclosed sum. McKenna cited retirement as his reason for selling the establishment.

By March 2024, the pub had been acquired by Ben Madigan’s Bar & Kitchen, which is based on Cavehill Road. Kelvin Collins, owner of Ben Madigan's Bar & Kitchen, stated, "A refurb and rebrand will take place in coming months and we look forward to making the venue a destination in North Belfast once again."

Future Developments

In June 2024, Gricol Pubs Ltd submitted two planning applications (LA04/2024/1115/A & LA04/2024/1114/F) to Belfast City Council. These applications propose several modifications to McKenna's Bar:

• Replacement of existing signage with two new signs

• Relocation of the entrance door

• Alteration of a bifold door on Dock Street to sill level, replacing it with a window to match existing windows

• Addition of feature tiles to the exterior ground floor elevations

Based on planning documentation submitted, McKenna's Bar will become known as Seaton's of Sailtortown.