The history of Tábhairne Leo (Leo’s Tavern) dates back some 150 years.......
According to legend, Jack mór (big Jack) a handy man of Meenaleck village, heard the local Landlord had broken a cartwheel at Coradh mór (big corner) between Meenaleck & Crolly. After fixing the broken wheel, the Landlord went to pay Jack mór but instead of a cash payment, Jack requested that the Landlord issue 2 pub licences and a fair day for Meenaleck. The 2 pub licences, which are now called Tábhairne Leo (Leo’s Tavern) and the other Teac Tessie were granted along with a Fair day which was called Aonach Jack or Jack’s Fair, which took place on 16th day of each month. This all happened around 1850 and Jack’s Fair lasted for about 100 years, with the last Fair day taking place in and around the 1950’s. Although the Fair days are long past, the local Cóiste Forbartha Mín na Leice (Meenaleck Community Committee) run an annual event in July of each year, celebrating Aonach Jack with stalls, farm animals and local arts and crafts.
The pub now known as Leo’s Tavern changed hands a few times before belonging to Johnny Sissy Hughie. Johnny was living in Scotland and the pub had become run down as it was only opened for a few days in the summer, in order to keep the licence valid.
Leo Brennan a musician, had travelled Ireland, England and Scotland extensively during the 50’s and 60’s, playing with the Slieve Foy Dance Band, which was a Family Band, consisting of his father, mother, brothers and sister. With the dance halls slowing down across the country and with the Slieve Foy parting their ways, Leo decide to go solo, playing at weddings and functions and also playing 5-6 nights a week in the McFadden Hotel, Gortahork. It was with all this in mind that Leo & his wife Máire (Baba) decide to invest in a pub.
The pub now known as Leo’s Tavern changed hands a few times before belonging to Johnny Sissy Hughie. Johnny was living in Scotland and the pub had become run down as it was only opened for a few days in the summer, in order to keep the licence valid.
Leo Brennan a musician, had travelled Ireland, England and Scotland extensively during the 50’s and 60’s, playing with the Slieve Foy Dance Band, which was a Family Band, consisting of his father, mother, brothers and sister. With the dance halls slowing down across the country and with the Slieve Foy parting their ways, Leo decide to go solo, playing at weddings and functions and also playing 5-6 nights a week in the McFadden Hotel, Gortahork. It was with all this in mind that Leo & his wife Máire (Baba) decide to invest in a pub.