IN part three of the Review’s history series, 57-59 Sydney Street, MacNamara’s Irish Pub features as a building which is still a popular destination for solo, family and group travellers.
The Kilmore Historical Society has carefully curated a blurb to populate a plaque which has been attached to the building’s street frontage to stimulate local history and provide a point of interest for tourists and weekend historians.
Its plaque reads:
Former Hay & Grain Store 1861
Erected in 1861 by John Kelly Trainor as a hay and grain store and was later converted to the Hibernian Hotel about 1864. It was renamed the Railway Hotel to coincide with the construction of the North East rail line in 1871.
It was a popular place to hold meetings and one such event took place when the Kilmore Dairy Company held its annual meeting of shareholders on September 4, 1920.
The hotel has seen many owners and licensees over the years. Patrick O’Neill was licensee 1874-93, Mr. Williams c1926-38 and Nora and Jack Harrington from the 1940’s to 1952. The hotel was renamed ‘Macs’ by then licensee Duncan McPherson in 1957.
It is also sometimes referred to as MacNamara’s Irish Hotel, following an ‘Irish’ makeover in 2006.
A small weatherboard addition was added to the south side in 2006.
Funding for its plaque was generously provided by the Inland Rail project.
Behind the scenes, the historical society has been preparing a publication, Kilmore: a Walk through History.
“It will be going to the publishers in the next couple of weeks and should be on sale by the end of November,” committee member Rose King said.
“It’s 120 pages and will cost $25. There is a map giving the location of each building/site. The QR code will take you to a page with more information about the site/building.
“It’s a really good way for residents, particularly newer residents to explore and find out more about the town.”
What a wonderful Christmas present.
In the meantime the Review will feature another historic building in next week’s edition, 69 Sydney Street, its Former Blacksmith’s Shop c1860.
