Gillistown House, Ahoghill (Owen Roe O'Neill)

Prior to 2003 this was a simple, one-room bar with a red diamond quarry tiled floor and newer ones on the left where the shop counter was situated. There is a 'Gillistown House' frosted and etched front window - note the '1' on the back of the front door - the bar back is a splendid carved and mirrored affair with a ballustrade - the bar counter front was covered up with the original underneath - had some old benches from a bank.

In 2003 the Bar was expanded sensitively by extending to the right by removing a small store room and is now some 25% larger than previously but clever use of old quarry tiles means this is not obvious - there is a tongue 'n' groove ceiling throughout - dado panelling on the left and front is original on the right (store room side) is new. The bar front (possibly inter-war) is now exposed, but has a new bar top; the bar back has some additions e.g. modern finishes to shelving, also one fridge replaces some shelving.

A door at the rear goes into the New Bar which was Mrs O'Neil's kitchen and living rooms and still has the old gas fitting hanging from the original tongue 'n' groove ceiling which is now painted yellow. This small room has reused red diamond quarry tiled floor, a small cast fireplace with a log fire, a small bar counter is new, but the bar back has reputedly been imported from elsewhere, as has the rear stained and leaded window and the wood backed fixed seating is modern. Good to see the original Guinness bottling equipment retained in the back room.