In this episode of the "Pubs & Pints Podcast," [00:19] host Tim Grant talks with Tommy Brennan, who shares stories about his Irish heritage and upbringing in the Bronx and Yonkers, New York. Tommy's father hailed from County Sligo, Ireland, and his mother was born in the US to Irish immigrant parents.
Key discussion points include:
- Family Pub in Ireland Tommy recounts growing up with a family pub, T. Brennan's, in Tubbercurry, County Sligo, which was opened by his paternal grandfather in 1936 [02:14]. He shares childhood memories of staying above the pub during summer visits to Ireland and the pub's role as a community hub [11:16]. The pub was even featured in the show "Normal People" [21:22].
- Father's Journey to America Tommy details his father's arrival in America in 1957 at age 21, his service in the American army in Germany [05:26], and how he met Tommy's mother at an Irish play group in the Bronx [05:50].
- Life in the Bronx and Yonkers Tommy describes his early childhood in the Fordham area of the Bronx, near the Grand Concourse [07:37], before moving to Yonkers at age 10 [07:54].
- Father's Bartending Career His father worked as a bartender at the Blarney Stone [08:37] and later at Nerie's, a well-known Irish pub on 57th Street, for 30 years [09:36].
- Irish-American Culture in New York They discuss prominent Irish establishments in the New York area, such as Rory Dolan's [16:10] and The Rambling House [17:40], and the strong Irish accent still heard in areas like Woodlawn [17:23].
- Tommy's Irish Identity Tommy reflects on his deep connection to his Irish roots, his involvement with the Sligo Association [25:57], and his desire to preserve the history of Irish pubs.
You can watch to the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2FDzVQsGL0
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