Grand opening of Naas pub

LAST Friday family, friends and the Naas community made their way to newly opened pub, The Forge Inn, for their grand opening which included pints, chat and the cutting of the ribbon, welcoming a new social venue to the town.

Pub owner, Ger Roche, and his family warmly welcomed people through the doors to the cosy new bar that has been long-awaited for by Naas townfolk.

“I think we did a nice job on it,” said Ger.

“We’re open a week now, so it’s going very well and we’re happy.” 

The building, which had been closed for around 20 year, was taken over by Ger.

“We were at it for the guts of five years. We put a lot of work into it and we’re very happy.” 

Gerry explained that he purposefully designed the pub to cater to a middle-aged crowd with its relaxed and laid back fittings, which he hopes will encourage the same spirit in the pub’s customers.

He said: “I don’t want people falling out the door. It’s very important to control the outside area.” 

“It’s kind of a middle-aged group we’re here for.” 

The Forge, which is expected to be a great addition to the town, has created between 15 to 20 local jobs, with many of the employees serving customers with a smile on the day of the launch.

Ger, who has taken on the reconstruction of the neighbouring Naas Shopping Centre, is still awaiting an anchor tenant for the development. “We haven’t found one yet, but they will come.” 

“We’re starting the car park. We’ve started that already, and there’ll be 300 spaces open in six months.” 

With plans for another pub in the town, Gerry confirmed that he will be turning the vacant previous pub ‘The Five Lamps’ back into a pub.

Gerry previously had the building in mind for apartments, but has since “changed course” and decided to keep it as a pub and hopes to develop it to have a different vibe and atmosphere to The Forge.

"I’m just thinking out loud. Maybe a younger crowd for The Five Lamps,” he concluded.