New Irish bar for Wellington (MEDIA RELEASE: 14 November 2001)

Wellington has been 'blessed by a touch of the Irish' with the official opening of New Zealand's first James J. Murphy's & Co. Irish Pub on Cuba Street last night.

Owner Clement Griffiths was joined by DB Breweries' Limited senior executive team, to launch the pub with a 'good-ole Irish slainté (toast).

The Wellington pub is the first James J. Murphy's outlet, of the James J. Murphy & Co. international pub network, to open in the Southern Hemisphere.

In New Zealand DB Breweries represents the Murphy's brand which in turn is owned by Heineken International.

James J. Murphy & Co.'s general manager, Yvette Griffiths, travelled to Cork in Ireland, with the James J. Murphy's & Co. network, to work in an outlet in 1998 and says the concept behind JJ Murphy's is quite unique to existing Irish pubs in New Zealand.

"JJ Murphy's provides patrons with a genuine insight into the rich history of Ireland," Ms Griffiths says.

"Each of the JJ Murphy's outlets reflect the dynamic life and era of James J. Murphy, and provide a true 'Irish Experience' steeped in history and cultural authenticity."

The Wellington bar is testament to this supplying Murphy's Irish Stout and Murphy's Irish Red Beer on tap and displaying old Irish artefacts, letters and black and white prints which trace the evolution of Irish life, tradition and brewing.

The large spilt-level pub comprises of three sections. On the ground level is the main bar which houses nine snugs or booth seats as well as the bar itself.

The spilt floors house the Church, an area dedicated to pool tables, and the Cork Cafe which prepares the pub's traditional Irish snack meals including stews, fish 'n chips, mussels, Irish apple pie and sticky date pudding.

DB Breweries' Murphy's brand manager, Saskia van der Geest, says James J. Murphy's & Co. is an iconic Irish pub and the perfect place relax to enjoy a Murphy's.

Other beers on tap at JJ Murphy's include DB Draught, Tui, Export Gold, Monteiths Celtic Ale, Monteiths Black and Monteith's Original Ale.

JJ Murphy's is open seven days a week from 10am until late while the Cork Café opens at 8.30 each morning - It's a real Corker!

Kiwi words

The New Zealand slang term 'sheila' (sometimes spelt 'sheelah' or 'sheeler'), meaning a woman, or more usually a girlfriend, has an Irish origin. The term comes from the common Irish personal name Sheila (in Gaelic spelt Síle).