Famous popstar offering free drinks at 9 Irish pubs to celebrate big birthday

Irish pub goers could be in for an unexpected treat today as a famous popstar is offering free drinks to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Housemartins and Beautiful South star Paul Heaton is marking today’s milestone birthday by putting money behind the bar at 60 pubs - and nine of them are in Ireland.

The big-hearted singer, who previously owned a pub in Salford, said his original plan was a bicycle tour during which he would visit and perform at 60 pubs across Ireland and the UK. But he said the idea was shelved due Covid-related delays.

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He said: “The next best way to celebrate this coming of age is to handpick 60 pubs across the UK and Ireland and put a given amount of money behind the bar of each.”

Paul has not revealed how much money will go behind each bar or what particular time it will start at.

The bars he has chosen that will serve drinks courtesy of him are spread across Ireland in Belfast, Kilkenny, Derry, Tipperary, Wexford, Killarney, Dublin, Galway and Donegal.

The full list was published on his Facebook page on Sunday, with the post reading: “Here’s a list of all 60 pubs taking part in Paul’s birthday tomorrow (Monday). Thanks to all the pubs and to everyone who visits them. It would be great to see photos of you all enjoying your free drinks and celebrations at each pub throughout the day!”

Paul added: “Both regulars and yourselves can enjoy a birthday drink on me (until the money runs out, or the bar runs dry!). The hope is to bring people together on the day, whilst recognising that many folk who bought my records or showed me support over the years, could do with a wee party, as we come out of Covid and hit potential financial struggles.

“If there’s one near you please head over on Monday, show your support and raise a toast to me on my birthday!”

Fans have praised him for his announcement, with many taking to the comments to wish him a happy birthday.

Here’s the full list of pubs

Ireland

• Robinsons Bar – Great Victoria St, Belfast
• Eddie Murphys – Thomastown, Kilkenny
• Peadar O’Donnells - Waterloo St, Derry
• The Punters Rest - Tipperary
• The Sky on the Ground – Whitewell, Wexford
• Courtney’s Bar – Killarney, Co. Kerry
• Keohoes – Dublin
• Tig Coili – The Latin Quarter, Galway
• Bonners Corner Bar – Ballybofey, Co. Donegal

Elsewhere

• The Old Toll Bar – Paisley Rd W, Glasgow
• Nice n Sleazy – Sauchiehall St, Glasgow
• The Sheep Heid Inn – The Causeway, Edinburgh
• Kay’s Bar – Jamaica St, Edinburgh
• Tanners Arms – Byker Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne
• The Freetrade Inn – Lawrence Road, Newcastle upon Tyne
• The Half Moon – Northgate, Darlington
• The Black Bull – Main St, Darvel
• The Sportsmans Inn – Heads Ln, Carlisle
• The Original Oak – Headingley, Leeds
• The Flying Horse – Packer St, Rochdale
• The Britons Protection – Bridgewater St, Manchester
• Bowling Green – Chorlton-cum-Hardy
• The Orion – Burton Road, Withington
• The Railway Inn – Lapwing Ln, West Didsbury
• Albert Wilsons – Wilmslow Rd, Withington
• The Dog & Partridge – Manchester Rd, Warrington
• Bird I’th Hand – Prescot Rd, St Helens
• The Saddle Inn – Dale St, Liverpool
• The Casa Bar – Hope St, Liverpool
• The Globe – Cases St, Liverpool
• The Coachmakers Arms – Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent
• The Bay Horse – Market Pl, Market Weighton
• Lord Nelson – Arundel Street, Sheffield
• Riverside Kelham – Mowbray St, Sheffield
• The Morning Star – Greetwell Gate, Lincoln
• Ye Olde Blue Bell – Market Place, Hull
• The Whalebone – Wincolmlee, Hull
• The Grafton – Grafton St, Hull
• The White Horse – Hutton Cranswick
• Hatfield Main Pit Club – Stainforth, Doncaster
• The Old Horse – London Road, Leicester
• The Black Horse – Aylestone, Leicester
• The Bulls Head – Cambridge St, Saint Neots
• Hardies – Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
• Golden Fleece Inn – Market Square, Porthmadog
• Rummer Tavern – Duke St, Cardiff
• Hare & Hounds – King’s Heath, Birmingham
• Patrick Kavanagh – Trafalgar Road, Birmingham
• The Red Hart – Bodham, Norfolk
• The Eagle – Norfolk St, King’s Lynn
• The Duke of York – Woodbridge Rd, Ipswich
• The Stags Head – New Cavendish St, London
• The Coffee House Pub – Beak St, London
• The Glue Pot – Emlyn Square, Swindon
• The Thunderbolt – Bath Rd, Bristol
• The Cricketers Inn – South St, Dorking
• Grasshopper on the Green – Westerham, Kent
• Minerva Inn – Looe St, Plymouth
• Duke of Wellington - Brighton Road, Shoreham
• Polgooth Inn - St Austell, Cornwall

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