About Ray's
| Prendergast's bar is a long running, well known pub based in the centre of Castlebar. Originaly taken over by the late Ray Prendergast in the mid-1960's it has continued to operate succesfully as a family run business for close to 50 years. |
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A little bit of history
In GAA and indeed sporting circle's in Mayo, Ray Prendergast can be described as somewhat of a household name. He, along with older brother Paddy (who won All Ireland titles with Mayo in 1950 and 1951), have gone down in Mayo folklore as two of the greater full backs in the history of the Mayo team.
Having played for Mayo 62 times between 1965 and 1972, winning two Connacht Titles and one National Football League in 1970, Ray has been described by well known sports writer Sean Rice as the greatest full back for Mayo since 1960.
His success with the county team also transferred to the club scene as he guided Ballintubber to county title honours at Junior and Intermediate as well as winning Senior county titles with nearby Castlebar Mitchels in 1969 and 1970. His legacy is such that Ballintubber's home ground in Clogher is named after him. Adorning the wall in the pub is a half-Ballintubber, half-Castlebar Mitchels jersey that was commissioned when Ballintubber faced the Mitchels in the County Final for the very first time in 2010.
Having acquired the pub that was to become known as Prendergast's during the 1960's, Ray set in motion a pub that to this day remembers his legacy and indeed is a regular spot for any of his old teammates and friends from all around to visit when they are in Castlebar. It remains deep rooted in sport and can still be seen as the 'home' pub of Castlebar Mitchels when they are out and about or celebrating victory as well as being a regular stop to club members of Ballintubber when they are in town too.
Good craic in a welcoming environment
Ray's prides itself in providing a nice, relaxed environment for our customers to sit back and unwind, come in to watch whatever sport takes your fancy (Gaelic Football, Hurling, Soccer and Rugby being particular sports that can be seen whenever a match is on) or to meet with a bunch of friends and enjoy a night out.
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Ray's has a great selection of drinks, with Guinness, Budweiser, Carlsberg, Smithwicks and Heineken on tap.
Theres is a large range of bottled lagers and Bulmers as well as all the popular soft drinks. Quarter bottles of red and white wine are also on offer.
There is a full range of all your favourite short drinks, with a great selection of Irish and other Whiskeys, Vodka, Gin, Brandy, Rum and Liquers among others, all served in a warm friendly manner from our bar staff |
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For those who fancy a bit of activity on their evening out, we have a full size pool table (our former pub pool team competed in finals in the now defunt Castlebar pool league!) and two dart board areas (our darts team competes in Division 2 of the Castlebar town league).
Cards is also popular, and it is not uncommon to see games of 5 card, straight and texas hold 'em poker break out, if you fancy a game just ask a member of staff and we have poker mats, chips and cards for use.
A great meeting place
Ray's has become famous as a meeting up place for all those who are no longer living in Castlebar when they return home. Be it family events, anniversaries or at holiday time, down throught the years it has become in many cases the first port of call to gather.
In particular at Christmas time, we are delighted to greet familar faces who we haven't seen in a while as they settle into a pint of stout or a hot whiskey.
We also cater to small parties, with 30th, 40th, engagement and reunion parties taking place throughout the year.
While live music is not common in Ray's, occaionally we will have live music. In years gone we were one of the regular hosts for musicians in the annual Castlebar Blues Festival (among the many artists who have played were "The king of slide guitar" Will Killeen and Colin Earl, an original member of Mungo Jerry, whose hit "In The Summertime" has sold around 30 million copies worldwide), as well as ahowcasing local live musicians from time to time.
Come in and visit
Please feel free to call into us any time, if you would like to find out more why not head on over to the contact us section to find out more.
