Twinning of pubs 7,000 miles apart
Kilkenny People
10/05/01
An unusual “twinning” ceremony was held at John’s Bridge, Kilkenny, on Sunday, when Deputy Mayor of Kilkenny, Marie Fitzpatrick, officiated at the formal alliance of two great pubs, situated over 7,000 miles apart.

Samme Ladckie, a publican from San Diego, California, visited Kilkenny two years ago, and liked Tynan’s pub so much that he had Billy O’Sullivan from O’Sullivan Interiors, Waterford, recreate the unique 200 year old interior of Tynan’s in a new custom-built bar in downtown San Diego.

Two special scrolls were commissioned, which will be displayed in each of the pubs.

The event was attended by Samme Ladckie, from San Diego, Alf France who is Pub Business Development Manager for Guinness UDV in the United States, architect Billy O’Sullivan, and by many of Tynan’s regular customers.

Proprietor James and Caith Coady were held up by a delayed flight from the U.K. and were represented by James’s sister Breda and by bar manager James Redmond.

Arrangements are now being made to complete the twinning process in San Diego, and Tommy Manning is organizing a trip for the Kilkenny group to travel to California.

This will be especially appreciated by the many Kilkenny priests who work in San Diego, including Msgr. Thomas Prendergast, past of Mission San Diego del Alcala. This Mission was set up about the same time as Tynan’s commenced business in Kilkenny.

Among the other Kilkenny priests in San Diego are Msgr. Francis Pattison, Msgr. Eamon Lyng, Msgr. William Cuddihy, and Msgr. Carroll.