Dublin Square Irish Pub brings flavor of Old Sod to Bordentown

By SUSAN SPRAGUE YESKE

Ireland has its own special beauty, a combination of stunning coastlines and acres of rolling hills cast in many shades of green. But the true joy of visiting the Emerald Isle is the people, who welcome visitors with the fullness of their warmth and charm.

It's that warmth and sense of welcome that makes the Dublin Square Irish Pub in Bordentown stand out among local Irish watering holes. That, and the authentic Irish fare and drinks that make up a portion of the menu.

Mike McGeough, his brother Sean and partner Bob Pracher opened the pub near the intersection of routes 130 and 206 in June. The former site of Jim's Tavern had been vacant for years, and they renovated it extensively. The exterior is painted in a whimsical motif designed to make it look like a public square in Dublin, and the interior is pure Irish pub -- the brothers had the components handcrafted in Ireland and shipped to the States, then installed by Irish craftsmen.

"I just love being here," says Mike McGeough, who serves as manager, and has a lot to do with the warmth that emanates throughout the pub. He delivers food to tables, stops by to make sure everything is going well, and generally works to make people feel welcome.

The Ireland he wants his customers to know is the one where he spent his teenage years. His parents were Irish natives who came to the States, where he was born. At 13, the family moved back to Dublin, and he stayed until he grew up, then chose to return to the U.S. His brother, a pilot, lives in England.

Owning an Irish pub here had been a longtime dream of Mike McGeough, especially when it came to the issue of his favorite beer.

"I could never find a good pint of Guinness" in the States, he says, so he set out to import his own.

"We take great pride in our Guinness, and we have probably one of the best pints of Guinness you can find here," he says of the dark brew that makes it way across the ocean by boat.

The pub beverage list has plenty of other Irish favorites including Magner's cider, Smithwicks and Harp lager. A glass case displays the Irish whiskies for sale including three kinds of Bushmills, three Jamesons, Tullamore Dew, Middleton Very Rare, Powers and Michael Collins.

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