The Munster Bar set to close this week after 70 years of trading

Sad news for Waterford as The Munster Bar has announced it will be closing at the end of March.

The family-owned establishment will have its final service on Easter Sunday, before shutting down permanently.

Speaking briefly to the Waterford News and Star, proprietor Peter Fitzgerald said that the decision to close due to the fact that “we’re all of a certain age” and that the family has been running the bar for over 70 years.

The bar has been operated by three generations of Fitzgerald’s since it was bought by Peter’s father, in 1953.

The Munster Bar building itself is a major part of Waterford history.

Before being taken over in the 1950s, the building was one of the oldest registered commercial buildings in Waterford, and operated as a tavern since 1853.It was first established as a stop for ship captains and officers going through the Port of Waterford and is an iconic, landmark building in the city.

Situated snugly in the Viking Triangle, the bar was slap bang in the middle of the museum quarter of the city. The Munster has witnessed many milestones in Déise history, from the Light Opera Festival to the raising of the Tricolour by Thomas Francis Meagher, in 1848.

A massive wooden Dragon Slayer Viking sword is situated right next to the entrance of the bar on Bailey’s New Street, and has led many a curious visitor into the cosy confines of the tavern.

The Munster Bar was, like many establishments, hit hard by the pandemic-era lockdowns. People’s habits changed dramatically and the hospitality industry had to grapple with quieter times and increasing operating costs.

The Munster Bar has been managed by three generations of the Fitzgerald family.

In the few years since the COVID-19 emergency, pubs, bars and restaurants in Waterford have had to adapt to these serious changes. In 2022, The Munster Bar auctioned off some of its memorabilia to mark the end of The Mall part of premises. UNioN Wine, Bar & Kitchen is now open where the The Mall side premises was.

Even then, Peter revealed to the News and Star that the pub may cease trading all together and at the time commented: “First and foremost, we’re all getting on a bit. The Munster is a big enterprise and it takes a lot of running. As you get older, that gets harder and harder. So, we spoke about it and we said that it was time to give someone else a bite of the cherry.” Around the same time, his brother Michael spoke about the changing nature of the pub trade.

He said in a radio interview: “”People’s habits have changed and I don’t think they’re going to change back. I don’t think there’s any other business in the last ten years that’s changed as much as the pub trade.” The Munster Bar was popular not only with tourists, but particularly with theatre-goers from the Theatre Royal.

The pub has great connection with Waterford’s arts community.

The Churchyard Sessions took place right outside the pub for the last few years as part of Summer in the City. The series of free gigs packed out the Bailey’s New Street area by the thousands, showcasing performers like Paddy Casey, Mundy and Duke Special. The Munster Bar were an integral part of the sessions, by supporting the large-scale events, along with The Reg nearby. While there are a number of different theories for the future of The Munster Bar building, nothing has been concretely confirmed as of yet.

No matter the future, the Fitzgerald family and all the staff and crew of The Munster should be immensely proud for their contribution to Waterford City.

Its loss will be deeply felt among many in the Déise and beyond.