Popular Fitzer’s Bar calls it a day in Ballyhaunis

ANOTHER chapter in the business life of Ballyhaunis will come to an end in the coming days as Fitzer’s Bar in Knox Street, Ballyhaunis, will close for the last time.
The popular pub has been run for the last 18 years by Ann Fitzpatrick from Tully, Gorthaganny. During that time, she married Gary Allen from Tooreen who has also helped out in the running of the bar over the last number of years.
Prior to Ann taking over the pub, it was operated by Pat Walsh from Dunmore. Peter Moran also ran the premises before that while others in the locality will recall when the pub was owned by Pat Callaly a few decades ago.
Fitzer’s was especially popular with Roscommon people, many of whom socialise in Ballyhaunis because of the closeness of the county border.
Ballyhaunis GAA Club held their final 50/50 draw in Fitzer’s on Sunday night prior to the closing of the pub. The club rotates the weekly draw between the various pubs in the town. The winner of the jackpot of €450 on the night was Colm Rudden from Doctors Road in the town.
The club expressed thanks to Fitzer’s for all of their support down the years and extended good wishes to Ann, Gary and family in the times ahead.
Local man, Eamon Murren, reflecting on the changes in Ballyhaunis, said he remembers a time when there were ten pubs in Knox Street alone. “Now there is less than that in the whole town. Ballyhaunis has lost around six pubs since Covid hit in 2020. Other towns and villages all over the country have been impacted in a fairly similar way.”