Jimmy Glynn left County Galway for the trip of a lifetime to the 1994 World Cup in the USA. He followed Ireland in the Giants Stadium when Ray Houghton put the ball in the Italian net and in the heat of Orlando when Jack Charlton’s side battled it out with Mexico in a sauna.
By Ian Cooney
He had great craic following the Boys in Green and, as a result, decided to make New York his home. His business acumen explored the Manhattan landscape. Next weekend, his bar, Jake’s Saloon on 23rd Street, 7th Avenue, will become a “home away from home” for Roscommon supporters travelling Stateside for the Connacht championship encounter against New York.
Glynn’s Bar, located in The Square, Dunmore, County Galway, has been in the family name since 1888.
“I learned the bar trade from my uncle Frank. The pub is now run by my cousin David and his mother Tess. I still have a lot of good friends back in Dunmore. My mother Peggy still lives there with her siblings.
“I partied for two weeks when I went to the 1994 World Cup and I ended up staying,” he told the Herald.
Jimmy hooked up with the Conroy brothers from County Tipperary and worked in Mustang Sally’s beside Madison Square Garden for eight years.
“I met Jimmy Cahill, who was originally from County Cavan, and we opened the first Jake’s Saloon (57th Street, 10th Avenue) in 2002. We opened a second Jake’s Saloon (23rd Street, 7th Avenue) in 2005 and a third one (23rd Street, 9th Avenue) in 2008,” he explained.
The current Galway Football Supporters’ Club of New York Chairman developed a relationship with the Chelsea Savoy Hotel next door to Jake’s Saloon. Initially, when Galway visited New York for an FBD League final some years back, he booked some rooms for supporters. Next weekend, the Chelsea Savoy will be full of Rossies in New York for the big match.
“It has been a great success. I liaise with the Chelsea Savoy and book the whole hotel. I’ve built up a great relationship with Michael Caslin from 747 Travel. The hotel has the best location in New York. It’s beside everything — the Empire State Building, Macy’s and Times Square. It’s fully booked out for the match,” pointed out the Dunmore native.
Jake’s Saloon will be the closest thing to a “Roscommon bar” in Manhattan next weekend. The famous $10 Irish breakfast became the talk of New York the last time the Rossies were in town five years ago. It’s on the menu again next weekend alongside all major sporting events.
“The most famous Roscommon pub in New York is the Riverdale Steakhouse (located in the Bronx). Terry Connaughton and Jimmy Naughton are great Roscommon people. It’s very popular among Roscommon supporters. We come together when we can to share ideas ahead of a big weekend like this.
“I’d be in regular contact with quite a few Roscommon people. I met Seamus Sweeney (current Roscommon County Board Chairman) the last time Roscommon were out here and we’ve been good friends since. I also met up with the Keenan’s from Tarmonbarry. When I come back to Ireland, I go to the Roscommon Races and have met loads of Roscommon GAA supporters there,” he remarked.
Alongside Jack Tiernan (originally from Elphin), Jimmy will ensure that Jake’s Saloon will be suitably decorated with flags and bunting next weekend. Roscommon people will meet there, have a chat and make friends.
Jimmy Glynn will be in the thick of the action too, making everyone feel very much at home.
READY FOR THE ROSSIES…Dunmore native Jimmy Glynn (third from left) is pictured with some of his staff from Jake’s Saloon in anticipation of a Roscommon invasion next weekend. (L-r): Matt from Pennsylvania, Hanna from Connecticut, Jenny from County Tyrone, Brendan from County Cavan and Chief Executive Chef Carlos, New York. All five were working in Jake’s Saloon in 2011 when Roscommon last visited New York for a Connacht championship match.
