McDonald’s Newbridge reopens one year after blaze

The owner of the McDonald’s Newbridge restaurant has paid tribute to his employees as the restaurant reopens following a major fire at the site last year.

Following an extensive reconstruction programme, the Co Kildare restaurant reopened its doors yesterday, Wednesday 4 September, welcoming back many original crew members and hundreds of eager customers.

Sean Quirke, the McDonald’s Newbridge franchisee owner, said he is “thrilled” to be welcoming their customers back through their doors and drive-thru.

“Over the past year we have been extremely grateful for the ongoing kindness and support of many loyal customers, neighbours, stakeholders and elected representatives in the Newbridge area while the restaurant has been undergoing reconstruction,” he said.

“Most of all, though, I would pay tribute to the Newbridge restaurant’s superb managers and crew members – 70 of whom have returned to their roles as part of a wider team of 90 employees at the restaurant.” Mr Quirke commended the employees for their “remarkable resilience” over the past year, during which they were redeployed to other locations within his group of restaurants.

“We are proud of each and every one of them and are delighted to welcome them ‘home’ to Newbridge today,” he said.

Originally opening its doors 25 years ago, in 1999, the newly reconstructed 59-seater Newbridge restaurant includes two drive-thru lanes and a dedicated McDelivery hatch.