The owner of a new bar named after one of Belfast’s pioneering female footballers has said becoming part of the area’s rich history is central to his vision for the venture.
Seaton’s of Sailortown is set to open its doors to the public tomorrow (Friday November 29).
Formerly McKenna’s Bar, the new pub is named after footballer Molly Seaton, who represented and captained the Irish football team in the 1920s and 1930s.
Seaton was part of a team largely made up of players from NI and participated in the first organised women’s football match to be organised in the Irish Free State in 1927.
Away from the pitch, Molly has been described as a larger-than-life woman, who enjoyed a smoke and a pint of Guinness.
Inside Belfast’s newest pub Seaton’s of Sailortown
It’s thought she never married, and she worked as a doffing mistress at Whitehouse flax spinning mill and Upper Corgery Road spinning mill, while also frequenting Morrison’s Bar and Edinburgh Castle Bar in her later years.
Inside the bar, the ground floor includes a kitchen, banquettes, an extended bar area, along with snugs, booths and a traditional fireplace — with a traditional vibe bringing in modern design influences.
Live musicians entertaining the crowd at the pub’s soft launch on Thursday
There is also an upstairs area with seating and booths, along with a bar.
Speaking at the pub’s ‘soft launch’ on Thursday night, owner Kelvin Collins, who is also behind Ben Madigan’s Bar and Kitchen on the Cavehill Road, said he hoped the bar would become part of Sailortown’s rich history.
“It’s crucial to us. I grew up in north Belfast and I live there in Cavehill. We’ve got Madigan’s Bar there as well, so another community pub in north Belfast is kind of what we were aiming towards,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“The Sailortown area of the city has a lot of history and a lot of stories to tell. We want to be part of that.
Seaton’s of Sailortown lit up with festive lighting ahead of launch on Friday
“We are excited to get open to the public; it’s been a long six or seven months of planning and actually doing the work.
“We closed in September time and for 12 weeks we’ve basically been working to get open this week. Even though it seems like it’s been quick, there has actually been a lot of things happening in the background.
“To have family and friends here tonight and then get open to the public tomorrow night is going to be great. We’re looking forward to seeing people in the bar.
“We have live music from 7pm – the doors open at 5pm – and we are doing some bar snacks as well. There will be good craic, good music and great drinks.”
Owner Kelvin Collins