The Story of Gene
Farmer by day. Publican by night.
Gene Anderson is a farmer. He tends the land by day and tends the bar by night. The pub opens, as the sign in the window says, after the cows are put away for the evening.
The Thatch has been here since 1734. Nearly three hundred years of music, talk, and good company in this whitewashed cottage on the Elphin Road. Gene keeps it the way his parents kept it before him: antiques on the walls, instruments in the corner, a fire in the grate, and a welcome at the door.
There is no TV. There is no WiFi. There is no food menu and no formal stage. What there is: the best Irish coffee in Ireland, a house piano and guitar for anyone to play, a resident dance master for the Wednesday set dancing, and Gene himself, playing fiddle, singing songs, and telling stories that keep the whole room leaning in.
If you come in a motorhome, park in the field behind the pub. In the morning, Gene will hang a bag on your door handle: fresh bagels, croissants, eggs, and fruit. That is the kind of place this is.
The Music
Unamplified, unrehearsed, unplanned. Musicians arrive through the evening and play in the round. There is no stage. Guests sit among the performers. Gene plays fiddle and sings. A resident dance master leads the Wednesday set dancing.
Wednesday
Set Dancing + Trad Session
From 8pm
Friday
Traditional Music Session
From 8pm
Saturday
Traditional Music Session
From 8pm
Session at the bar
Guitar in the round
A full house
The Motorhome Welcome
Park in the gated field behind the pub. Enjoy the session. Sleep under the stars.
In the morning, Gene will hang a bag on your door handle: fresh bagels, croissants, eggs, and fruit. That is included.
- Water tap
- Toilet facilities
- BBQ area
- Dog friendly
- Morning treats included
What People Say
4.7 on Google (152 reviews) · 4.9 on TripAdvisor
“In all my time of travelling Ireland I've never come across a more friendly, welcoming place. You really have to visit this absolutely amazing independent Irish bar. The man behind this place is outstanding. He sings, he plays various instruments, but most of all he talks to everyone who walks through his door and tells the most amazing stories of life.
“A GEM run by a welcoming and musically talented landlord. There are very few landlords like Gene and pubs like his beloved Thatch. A must if you are in the Carrick area.
“I know the Thatch since I was a child. I visited it when it was a small grocery and pub. Nothing has changed in the best part of my 80 years, but it has greatly improved since those early days. I hold it deeply in my heart as a fond historical place handed down to be lovingly remembered. May it go on forever.
“What a fantastic experience. Song, storytelling, great pints, great atmosphere. A really lovely evening.
What You Will Find
Traditional Music
Live sessions every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Unamplified, in the round. Guests sit among the musicians.
Motorhome Parking
Gated enclosure in the fields behind the pub. EUR 10 per night with morning bagels, croissants, eggs, and fruit delivered to your van.
No TV, No WiFi
Conversation, music, and storytelling. The way a pub should be.
Dog Friendly
Dogs welcome in the bar and garden.
Ireland's Best Irish Coffee
Made with spring water. Gene's own recipe.
Thatched Cottage
Original thatched roof, antique-filled interior, photographs and instruments on every wall.
Find The Thatch
“Opens after the cows are put away for the night”
Hours
Every evening
8pm to midnight
Seven days a week