Thomas Moore Tavern in November 2014.
Thomas Moore Tavern was a popular bar and restaurant that was situated in the Cornmarket area of Wexford town, beside Permanent TSB.
One of the town’s oldest pubs, it was named after the Irish writer and poet Thomas Moore, whose parents once lived in the building. Parts of the structure date back to the 1700s, when it was called the King’s Arms.
The most recent version of the tavern opened in 2011, after Tony and Breda Wright purchased and refurbished the property. The opening of the tavern was somewhat risky due to the ongoing financial crisis in Ireland.
Fortunately, the gamble paid off, and the bar went from strength to strength.
The pub area.
Customers could enjoy food from the bistro menu in the pub or opt for a more formal dining experience in the adjoining Spires Restaurant.
The Spires Restaurant.
I dined at the restaurant on a number of occasions, and I can honestly say that I was never left disappointed. The steak and fries with béarnaise sauce were a favourite of mine.
The restaurant in July 2023.
The tavern closed in June 2024, after the Wrights decided it was no longer viable to continue trading in the current economic climate. At the time, costs were rising across the board, VAT had reverted to its initial, higher rate, and customer dining habits were changing. As a result, many restaurants across Ireland were forced to close their doors.
Before the “newer version” reopened in 2011, Thomas Moore was run by Mike and Cora Watson, a Scottish couple who had purchased the property in July 1980.
Mike was a Celtic-supporting Glaswegian who had a dry sense of humour. He also reportedly hated people using foul language.
He passed away in October 2000. The bar continued to operate until the summer of 2007, when it was closed for renovations. However, it never reopened under the then-owners, possibly due to the onset of the world financial crisis.
During the Covid restrictions, there was some controversy when the restaurant was given planning permission to construct a large outdoor seating area beside the nearby roundabout. Many people took issue with the size of the temporary structure, and some argued that it posed a health risk to motorists.
Personally, I felt as though the reaction was a little over-the-top, as people seemed to be more incensed by a temporary wooden structure than some of the more pressing issues that were facing the town and country at large.
