This famous pub has been at the heart of this endearing little heritage town renowned for its tweeds and handknits for far longer than anyone can remember. It is a cosy, welcoming place in its seventh generation of McHugh family ownership - the original Nancy, who ran the pub in Victorian times, was the present owners' great-great great great grandmother.
Charlie and his wife Ann (who was responsible for developing the food side of the business) have handed on the baton to the next generation, so now it's Conor and Ann (with assistance from others of the seven siblings as required) who make sure everything is done as it should be. Everybody loves the higgledy-piggledy nature of the building, which was originally the family home with just a front bar opening onto the street.
Since those early days, the bar has gradually extended to take over the whole house and there are now five or six delightful little low-ceilinged rooms - maybe more, there seems to be another area opened up on each visit. Packed with old photographs and bric à brac, it's highly atmospheric and there are plenty of tables and chairs set up in every room, so you can comfortably enjoy the wholesome home-made food, especially seafood, that is now a big part of its charm.
Aside from its charm and friendliness, this fine old pub is famed equally these days for a great pint of Guinness and the house chowder - maybe try it along with a “Louis Armstrong” (smoked salmon on brown bread topped with grilled cheese) and finish with an Irish coffee. Or there’s “Charlie’s Supper”, a speciality of prawns and smoked salmon warmed in a chilli & garlic sauce - and, of course, great local oysters, in season.
In addition to the series of charming rooms that make up the bar area, there's an outdoor seating area with an awning, giving more room to enjoy everything this delightful pub has to offer.
Great live music too.
Nancy's is a member of the Donegal Good Food Taverns, an association promoting some of the county's most famous food pubs - useful for visitors.
