Fifty years of family celebrated at The Clock Tavern in Westport

Fifty years in the hospitality trade changes a person's perspective on a town.

From behind the counter of The Clock Tavern in Westport, Maura McGing and her late husband, Tony, watched the town transform from a quiet market town into a bustling destination. Along the way, they welcomed generations of customers through their doors, witnessing the changing face of Westport while remaining a familiar part of its story.

Before becoming publicans, Tony and his brothers worked in the crane construction industry in London during the 1960s. Looking to return to his hometown of Westport, Tony and his partner Maura bought The Clock Tavern from Richard ‘Dick’ O'Malley and officially opened its doors under their ownership on August, 6, 1976.

“I come from the North, and my father was very entrepreneurial. He could always spot a bargain,” Maura told The Mayo News.

Despite Tony running a successful crane services construction business in England, Maura admits both she and Tony “knew nothing about running a pub.”

In 1978, the couple returned to Maura’s home county, Armagh, with the pub operating on a seasonal basis during the busy summer months. Around the same time, they established Norwest Catering Suppliers, running both businesses concurrently.

“We didn't even know there was such a thing as the summer season in Westport,” Maura says.

Tony, who hailed from Croaghrim near the village of Killawalla, was a countryman running a pub in a town. “We were packed because Tony came from the country. We were the country pub in the town,” she laughs.

Loyal supporters

As the years went on, people from all around came to The Clock Tavern. Local customers supported year after year alongside many tourists, as the town became a more and more popular tourist destination.

“We had the best of times, everyone working together. All of the family joined in. We had great staff. They would come back year after year. They were like family.”

In the mid-1980s, The Clock Tavern underwent a major redevelopment.

The original building was demolished and rebuilt, led by Tony and his brothers, drawing on their construction experience to create the spacious premises that would host bands and parties.

“Every summer we'd come back to Westport, reopen the pub, and then return north when school started again,” added Maura.

And throughout the years, Tony and Maura’s children, Tracey, Anthony, Damien, Seán and Genevieve spent their summers in The Clock Tavern playing, and as they got older, working.

“We have great memories of growing up in The Clock, spending our summers there,” Genevieve said.

Throughout the years, the pub earned a reputation as one of Westport's leading live music venues. In the early days, showband stars including Margo and Kevin Prendergast performed there, alongside popular resident musicians such as The Molloy Brothers, The Man in Black, John O, and John Staunton.

Like many Irish families, Maura and Tony were hit by the recession of the late 1980s. In 1987, they relocated to London, where Tony continued to run a successful business providing crane operator services.

Despite living abroad, their connection to The Clock Tavern never faded. Each summer, Maura returned to Ireland with the children to open and run the pub for approximately ten weeks. Family and friends also made the journey home each year to lend a hand, helping to keep the pub at the heart of family life.

Tony would return during the summer months, too, supporting Maura and sharing in the work of keeping The Clock Tavern going. Through their dedication and the support of their family and friends, the tradition continued year after year.

Facelift

In 2008, the pub received a significant facelift.

Their son, Anthony, alongside local tradesman, Gerry Hastings, created a new traditional shopfront that complemented Westport’s heritage streetscape, while alterations inside the bar created more space for customers to enjoy live music and events.

After nearly five decades of building both a business and a community around The Clock Tavern, Tony McGing passed away peacefully at home in October 2025, surrounded by his loving family. His passing marked the end of an era, but the values he and Maura instilled in the pub continue to shape it today.

Over the decades, The Clock Tavern has welcomed an extensive line-up of musicians and bands, including Mundy, Liam Ó'Maonlaí, Brendan Begley, and local bands Physical Graffiti, Amazing Apples, Gary O'Malley, Work in Progress, and Matt Rowley, along with countless other performers.

The Clock Tavern is now home to two function rooms that have hosted family celebrations, community gatherings, art exhibitions, and music events. It has played an important role in festivals including Westival, the Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival, The All Time Club, Acoustic Yard, and regular open mic nights, while providing a stage for emerging original Irish singer-songwriters as well as many of Ireland's finest traditional musicians.

As the family marks this special milestone, Maura and her family have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has played a part in The Clock Tavern’s story over the past five decades.

Maura said she feels incredibly blessed to have the unwavering support of her family, particularly the McGings and Mallons, who have stood by her side throughout the years.

She also paid tribute to the many staff members who have worked at the pub over the decades, thanking them for their hard work, dedication and for the many happy memories created along the way.

Special thanks were also extended to the loyal customers, suppliers, musicians and bands, neighbours, friends and members of the wider community who have all contributed to the life and character of The Clock Tavern.