PUBLICAN TJ McInerney has pulled out all the stops as he prepares to finally reopen his pub on September 21.
The Tipperary native, who runs TJ Macs in Mullinahone, has spent a “substantial” amount on refurbishments and told the Irish Mirror that he is looking forward to reopening.
He said: “I don’t feel under pressure, I’m always ready.
“We did the pub up 21 years ago, I built an extension so I feel like we’ve been preparing for it since then.
“We’re not your average country pub.
“We’ve installed sanitisers at the two entrances, there are automated hand sanitiser units at each door and signage up all over the pub.
“We’ve also done up the beer garden.
“There’ll only be two people per bathroom and in the mens’, we’ve taped off urinals so there’s now just one toilet and one urinal in use.
“But the toilets have always been spotless, in fact we’ve been told that they’re both bigger and cleaner than a lot of other pubs.
“We have spent a substantial amount in making sure that everything is up to scratch.”
TJ takes his pub very seriously and reassured punters that nothing went undone as they made sure the pub was able to reopen.
He added: “The pub is my life, it’s great to finally be able to reopen.
“We are now a divided nation and it’s time now for us all to work together.
“Society needs to work together and go on the same path again.”
TJ also thanked Independent TD Mattie McGrath and Fianna Fail TD Jackie Cahill, who he said have been “instrumental” in giving rural pubs a chance.
He also praised Fine Gael’s Michael Lowry, Labour’s Alan Kelly and the local County Council and Gardai.
