For the first time in 12 years, the Irish Embassy pub won’t be open on St. Patrick’s Day.
“It has not been an easy year. It’s been a big shock,” said co-owner Paul Quinn. “It’s all new to us, a rough year.”
A fire on March 24, 2018, ripped through the Embassy’s Bishop Street building, causing between $3 million and $4 million worth of damage.
Quinn and co-owner Joe Cannon said renovation efforts have been slowed by having to work through the pub’s insurer. Many of the documents covering its policy were lost in the fire, they said.
The co-owners estimate that rebuilding could take between two and three years. In the meantime, they told Global News they plan on opening a temporary location on Crescent Street on an upper floor of Thursday’s, another local bar.
“People can’t wait for us to get back,” Quinn said.
The Irish Embassy is slated to open at the Crescent Street location by Grand Prix weekend, he added.
WATCH: Irish Embassy pub to rebuild following fire
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