Comments on: Retrospective: Newark’s McGovern’s Tavern- An Irish History Tale

By: Mary Fahy

Mary Fahy — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 01:43:42 +0000

Lovely article My parents (Thomas & Margaret Fahy ) new McGovern’s Tavern very well .
I miss all the old Irish and their fun loving ways. God Bless

By: Michael J Dobrzelecki

Michael J Dobrzelecki — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 13:43:17 +0000

Mr.localhistoryproject Well, you have now touched on a great subject, one which not only touches on the history of the Irish in Newark, but even better, a story of how different ethnic groups have progressed socially over the decades to join forces in common causes – in this case the sons of Irish and Polish immigrants. Joe Downar is the son of a Polish WWII veteran who served in the Polish 2nd Corps during the Italian Campaign. While the immigrants of different European nations initially remained Balkanized, associating mostly with their own kind, Down Neck, like a lot of neighborhoods, was a churning melting pot, with each group adding their unique ingredients into the American stew. Being exposed to other cultures and traditions made us all the richer for it. In Joe’s case, he made a lot of friends with many different people, especially his Irish pals. Invited to various social affairs, he eventually became part of the Newark St.Paddy’s Day Parade Committee, and for past several decades served as the traffic coordinator for the event. He’s a natural leader, and a great organizer. I sometimes joke around with him that it takes a Pole to keep those Irishman organized on that special day. A few years back they made him a Deputy Marshall at the parade that year. Ask anyone in the Ironbound Irish Association about Joe Downar, and I’m sure they’ll sing his praises. I certainly share his affinity for the Irish, and have been a regular at McGovern’s in Newark since 1973. The two ethnic groups have a lot in common – they’re both mostly a Catholic country, both have persisted and fought for centuries against their oppressors – for the Irish it was England – for the Poles, it was virtually everybody, especially the Germans, the Russians, the Austrians, the Tartars, the Mongol Horde and the Turks (Hell! Poland even had to fight a war against a Swedish invasion for Christ’s sake!), we both venerate our ethnic cultural arts and history and we both like to sing, dance and enjoy adult beverages. That’s a solid basis for a perfect blending of two European cultures. That’s an angle you should explore, too, namely not only how the Irish maintained their culture after emigrating to America, but how they became part of it by blending with other nationalities and ethnic group. That IS the story of Newark, a city of immigrants, starting with the Puritans that broke away from the stifling atmosphere in New England and settled in Newark, and they were followed by successive waves of new immigrants over the next 300+ years. That’s the real story of America. (via Facebook)

By: Joe Conlon

Joe Conlon — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:11:42 +0000

I met my future wife there in the fall of 1955 at the corner table diagonal from the bandstand. She was a beautiful Italian girl who stole my heart at first glance. We were married 50 years when she died at 74. I never met a suitable replacement.

By: Therese Boulanger

Therese Boulanger — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:59:57 +0000

I am Frank McGovern's niece Therese, Margaret's daughter. Maura Scully was indeed Franks niece. Maura’s father was Edward. Thank you cousin Eileen Farrell for sharing the family history. Happy St Patrick’s Day to all

By: Mr. Local History

Mr. Local History — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 21:15:37 +0000

In reply to Eileen Farrell. How awesome are you. Be there Friday for St. Patrick's Day?

By: Eileen Farrell

Eileen Farrell — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 20:26:12 +0000

Missing from McGovern’s article re: Frank McGovern’s siblings, here they are……I am his sister Mary Ellen’s daughter: Frank : born May 1902, died November 1989
Thomas: born June 1903, died July 1969
Edward: born April 1905, died March 1980
Mary Ellen: born, July 1906, died January 1945
Margaret: born December 1908, died January 1999
Elizabeth: born April 1912, died August 1961
Patrick: born May 1915, died August 1987
Theresa: born April 1918, died March 1993
Frederick: born October 1920, died September 1949

By: Michael Duffy

Michael Duffy — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 01:09:46 +0000

I use to be a regular Sunday night visitor and always saw Jimmy Howard participated in the dance in back room with my buddies from Vailsburg. I met my wife there in 1958 and married in 1960. Come back as much as possible on our anniversary and are celebrating again with our visit February 28th. We are married 63 years February 27th. It is always great to see or talk to Bill Scully who we have known for so long. He is a true friend and always has been there for the Irish. God bless Frank McGovern , Jimmy Howard and Bill for bringing happiness and Irish life to us all. Carry on the torch nephew’s and success to you.

By: Michael J Dobrzelecki

Michael J Dobrzelecki — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 13:17:37 +0000

You need to check out “The Deep Inn” acorss the street from East Side HS in the Ironbound for your next topic. The bar used to be Rucki’s Polish Funeral Home, was one of the final 10 candidates for Best Bar in New Jersey before the pandemic and that’s just for starters.

By: Michael J Dobrzelecki

Michael J Dobrzelecki — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:20:19 +0000

Michael J Dobrzelecki
First went to McG’s in 1973 when I started at Rutger’s Newark and joined Tau Delta Phi Fraternity, and have a lot of memories of this fine Irish pub. Here’ a couple: On Wednesday nights back in the 1970s & 1980s, Scully let the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band, headed up then by Pat McGonigal, practice in the back room. Around 11 or 11:15pm the band would march out around the square bar once, then settle in by the kitchen side and do a set of 3 or 4 songs. I’m sure that the sound level well-exceeded the the OSHA recommended 85 dba at 3ft, but nobody was worried about that – the crowd loved the pipes! I used to bring my dates there as a test – some gals loved it – others not so much. If she didn’t love bagpipe music, I’d be looking for another woman shortly thereafter. I brought one pretty gal from work on a regular basis, and she has been my wife for 37 years now. Pat McGonigal played at my wedding.

By: Local History

Local History — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:09:01 +0000

Don Hebert
I remember one St. Paddy’s Day when a mounted police officer rode his horse into the bar area.

By: Local History

Local History — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:07:53 +0000

Bobby O’Conchobhair
I been drinking in there since September 1986 after getting hired as a Newark cop. My parents met there in the 60’s. I unfortunately met my ex there in the 90’s. Have been going there several times a week since 1986 except during the renovation period.

By: Local History

Local History — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:07:07 +0000

Roy Persson
McGovern’s Tavern, on St.Paddy’s day, was a magical, joyful and memorable event.
Peace and good will to you and all who visited this hallowed establishment.

By: Local History

Local History — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:06:23 +0000

Bob Gonzalez
What happened at McGoverns stays at McGoverns

By: Local History

Local History — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:05:38 +0000

Arlette Cascella
I remember McGoverns. Had a job in the Hall of Records downtown. In my 30’s met people from the West Ward, Vailsburg. First time I met anyone who changed their last name to sound more American. Being from the North Ward, didn’t know people that changed their last name. (.lots of Italians)

By: Local History

Local History — Fri, 25 Mar 2022 10:04:59 +0000

Jaynor Diaz
The fact that the old McGoverns was able to attract people to the bar is a testament to how good it is… because it was not super inviting… new building just works better for attracting people to the bar