Final farewell to popular Loughrea publican
It’s a sure sign of a publican’s social standing in his community that his regulars would make his dream trip come through by sending him off on the trip of a lifetime on board the Orient Express!
It was equally appropriate that the funeral of Ignus Harney should slow and stop outside his famous premises on Barrack Street last week to say one final farewell to one of Loughrea’s most colourful characters.
A native of the village of Tynagh, Ignus and his late wife Moira established Harney's Bar in 1985 and managed a successful trade as a favourite watering hole for locals and visitors to Loughrea alike.
In his youth, he was an avid hurler, taking the field for his beloved Tynagh and also donning the County Galway colours at minor level. He continued hurling when moving to Dublin in his early twenties.
After a brief spell in Canada, Ignus returned home to East Galway to establish his bar business. And Harney’s Bar on Barrack Street in Loughrea was a pub that became synonymous with good company, conversation and community spirit.
As a publican he was admired for his kindness, humour and generosity. Under his care, Harney’s was far more than a pub — it was a meeting place where friendships formed, stories were shared, music and poetry were celebrated and milestones were marked.
The well-known Baffle poetry group held its regular meetings at Harney's bar, which also welcomed musicians of all genres.
Ignus believed in the importance and power of conversation
Ignus could entertain a room, listen with genuine interest, and offer wise advice when needed.
Generations of customers grew up calling into Harney’s, and many spoke of Ignus through online condolences as a constant presence in their lives from their teenage years into adulthood.
Ignus believed in the importance and power of conversation, and only for the occasional GAA match was the television turned on. He had deep knowledge of music and artists.
Against the backdrop of easy listening music (and in the winter, a roaring open fire), he was happy to discuss the day's events or the latest book he was reading.
A daily task was completing the Irish Times Simplex crossword, and rarely did a clue remain unresolved.
In his funeral mass eulogy, Father Séamus Bohan, Parish Priest of Tynagh and Killeen, said that Ignus was always the best dressed man when he visited Tynagh, with a penchant for cravats and corduroy.
He was a stylish man, he said. While not a regular attendee at Mass, he made it known that he prayed daily. Father Bohan commented that many lively stories of Ignus’ life were best left outside of church!
A highlight of his later years was that trip – a long-held ambition – on the Orient Express, travelling on the famous train from Paris to Venice, followed by a train trip through the Swiss Alps to Munich, Germany.
His bar regulars organised the trip, led by his good friend Pat Lawless of Cappataggle, who, along with Joan Touhy, helped him manage the bar business after his wife Moira passed away.
Requiem Mass for Ignatius (Ignus) Harney of Harney's Bar, Barrack Street, Loughrea and formerly of Tynagh, took place on Saturday in Tynagh Church, with burial afterwards in Tynagh Cemetery.
Predeceased by his wife Moira, Ignus will be deeply missed by his sisters Máire and Breeda, his brother Michael, extended family, many friends – and by the staff and customers, present and past. of Harney's bar.
Ignus Harney will be remembered as a legendary publican, a gifted sportsman, a lover of music, poetry and conversation, and above all a warm and generous friend whose humour and hospitality brought people together.
-MF