Everything must go during last call for Tir na Nog

Tir na Nog is only 18 year old so it’s apropos, given that its name means “Land of the Young,” that it won’t be around to grow old.

The pub opened its doors at 8 a.m. Thursday to a sizable crowd who were eager to own a piece of Tir na Nog, no matter how small.

For years, the pub has played to host local bands and dance groups and is such a comfortable place that it was also known as Moore Square’s living room.

The place is rife with boy meets girl stories and stories of mothers watching their girls become women. Teresa Lyons was there on Thursday with her daughter, Trisha, to drink in the memories.

“We had her wedding rehearsal dinner in here and also her high school graduation breakfast here,” said Lyons.

Lyons also wanted to reserve a table to take home.

“We didn’t want to miss out on part of the history of the Tir na Nog in North Carolina,” said Lyons.

Ahead of Sunday’s closure, the owners of Tir na Nog are selling furniture, glassware, and other mementos from the pub. Tables, T-shirts, and even old portraits were for sale.

Although the establishment was clearly an Irish pub, it was always friendly to pint-sized people too.

“We’re very sad to see this place go because it has the best stage for our kids to dance,” said Tara Davis.

Davis came to Tir na Nog once a month for her daughters Irish dance school. The pub was host to a variety of special events over the years.

“Having first communions, baptisms, engagement parties, funerals, everything,” said owner Pete Pagano.

Pagano is closing the pub to spend more time at home with his family, including his children who are in preschool. He can’t bring everything inside home with him, so he said it has to go.

“We’ve really had it all here, so it’s a nice opportunity for people to come and take a piece of that for them to remember at their house,” said Pagano.

Pagano has owned the bar since 2004 and will lease the 8,000 square foot space to Bida Manda, a restaurant next door.