An Irish Couple Carries the Spirit of the Emerald Isle to Mount Pleasant

An Irish Couple Carries the Spirit of the Emerald Isle to Mount Pleasant

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is getting a taste of authentic Irish culture, thanks to an ambitious couple hailing from the Emerald Isle. Áine and Danny Burns have recently opened the Celt Irish Pub, a unique venue offering a blend of Irish music and culinary delights, located at 2700 N. Highway 17.

The Burns couple made their mark in the music scene of Washington, D.C., performing in local Irish pubs and embassies. Áine, a vocalist and guitarist, and Danny, a multi-talented musician with four albums to his credit, have now shifted their creative energies into this new venture. Their joint love for music and an ingrained knowledge of hospitality, gained through their experiences in Ireland, helped shape their dream into reality – the Celt Irish Pub.

A Fusion of Music, Food and Tradition

After moving to Mount Pleasant, the Burns couple chanced upon an Irish bar set to close down in September 2023. Sensing an opportune opening, they seized the moment. After a few negotiations with a German restaurant that won the first bid on the locale, by December 2023, they became the new custodians of the establishment.

Renovations started immediately, shaping the new pub into a warm welcoming venue. The couple roped in a seasoned Irish carpenter to build a new stage. The bar was extended to accommodate 30 patrons, contributing to the establishment’s seating capacity of 110. Drawing inspiration from their parental heritage – Áine’s parents run a pub back in Ireland – the venue mirrors the spirit of the celebrated Irish pub, The Chasin’ Bull.

The Celt Irish Pub is more than just a watering hole. It’s a vibrant music venue committed to regularly hosting bluegrass jam sessions and live performances of rock, Americana, and Irish music. The pub doubles as a small Irish merchandise outlet, stocking popular local delights such as English Barry’s Tea and Coleman’s pepper sauce.

Authentic Irish Cuisine

The Celt Irish Pub spreads out both lunch and dinner menus crafted by the experienced hands of chef Sebastian Gomez from Columbia and chef Ritchie Berens. Crowd favorites include wings, chicken curry, and traditional beer-battered fish and chips served with tartar sauce, a side of kale coleslaw and steak fries. The all-day Irish breakfast, which boasts an assortment of traditional food like Irish sausage, bacon, black and white pudding, hash browns, fried eggs, sauteed mushrooms, beans, and toast, is another appealing culinary option.

Danny is looking forward to expanding the menu eventually, serving up more selections for patrons to enjoy.

Welcoming New Celebrations

The couple, despite the minor licensing setbacks, managed to open doors to the enthusiastic public in April. They now operate with a staff of 12, serving their customers seven days a week. The excitement does not end here; the Burns couple has made sure that the love for their heritage adorns the walls of their pub. Irish artwork, historical photographs, scenes from Irish TV shows, and a special picture of Áine’s great aunt, a prominent face in Ireland’s 1916 uprising against the English, embellish the pub’s décor.

Embracing the journey they’ve embarked on, the Burns are optimistic about the future of the Celt Irish Pub. The local response has been overwhelmingly favorable, further fueling their hopes. As a non-franchised, mom-and-pop run business, the Celt Irish Pub stands as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and promises an authentic slice of Irish culture right in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.