Resort getting Irish pub

     By Kirk Kern
     View editor
      Declan McGettigan moved to Las Vegas about a year ago with experience as a "publican," the manager of an Irish pub.
      When Resort at Summerlin CEO Brian McMullan started conceptualizing the resort, he knew he wanted to include an Irish pub.
      The two didn't know each other at the time, but a year later McGettigan is employed by McMullan as "publican" of the resort's J.C. Wooloughan. The Irish Pub is scheduled to open soon in the resort's Paseo de Vida, a center that will feature five restaurants and numerous shops.
      "Our goal is to provide a warm atmosphere," McGettigan said. "You won't see any televisions or video poker in here. An Irish pub is known for its social atmosphere. Friendliness and good conversation is what you'll get here."
      J.C. Wooloughans is as authentic as possible. The pub was hand-built in Ireland, dismantled and shipped to Las Vegas. The pub is named for John Wooloughan, a close friend of McMullan who now lives in Las Vegas and will make numerous appearances at the pub.
      "He's our ambassador," McGettigan said.
      John Wooloughan was born in Ireland and has spent most of his working life in England with a public relations firm.
      The idea for the pub came about when McMullan and Wooloughan were contemplating what they thought was missing from the Las Vegas community -- a real "watering hole" where patrons can converse in a setting with Irish music and food.
      What J.C. Wooloughans has become fits that bill. The pub includes five themed areas -- Import/Exports area, Jimmy Wooloughan's Betting Area, Paddy Wooloughan's Nautical area, J.C.'s Winners Enclosure and The Theatre -- and high-walled booths to allow for privacy.
      The Import/Export area has a cobblestone floor and a false loft and is broken up to form cozy snugs with artifacts including a "passport control desk," "industrial weighing scales," "emigrating area," "imports and exports control desk" and "luggage trolley."
      Jimmy Wooloughan's Betting Area depicts betting at an Irish racetrack, with a betting counter, results board and screens with betting slip holders.
      J.C.'s Winners Enclosurer has a stable/jockey area, a winners enclosure, racetrack detail and a full bust of Shergar, a famous Irish racehorse which won the Irish and English derby's and was then kidnapped in 1983 and held for $10 million ransom. The horse was never returned.
      Paddy Wooloughan's Nautical Area has cabins, doors with portholes, bunks, nets, ropes, sails, chart table and captain's cabin. A raised area of the section will be used for live entertainment or for the television set-up for the occasional big rugby or soccer match.
      The Theatre, in the back of the pub, offers a warm atmosphere with a carpet floor surface, open fire and a piano that Wooloughan will sometimes man to lead the house in a typical Irish sing-along.
      The setting and entertainment aren't the only aspect of J.C. Wooloughans that makes it an authentic Irish pub. McGettigan said the bar will feature premium Irish draft beers and Irish whiskeys and the kitchen will feature Irish dishes such as Bantry Bay Fish Cakes, Savory Pork Pie, Beef and Guinness Pie and Boxty Pancakes.
      "The concept of the Irish pub has really caught on in the last five to 10 years," said McGettigan, who was born in Donegal, Ireland, and moved to the United States in 1985. "A lot of tourists go to Ireland and the thing they talk about the most is the pub scene."
      The pub is open 24 hours and McGettigan said he's already planning special events for the Rugby World Cup in October and the All-Ireland Football Games. He also plans a special celebration the week of Sept. 17, which is halfway mark to St. Patrick's Day.