Gina's Bar has real homely feel to it and she decides when it's closing time!

Popping down the local for Christmas Eve has taken on a whole new meaning for a mum of three from Trim who has transformed the front room of her four-bed home into a fully functioning pub that hosts the local Tidy Towns Christmas party every year.

‘Ginas Bar’ is a labour of love for Gina O'Donohoe who has created the ultimate private venue with no queue for the bar, garbled orders, or long waits for a taxi. You can forget about drunken strangers too, with closing time also at Gina’s discretion!

It features a fully kitted out bar, seating area, bar stools and an array of old Irish pub memorabilia. She has even installed taps with lager and Guinness on draught and decorated the walls with quirky vintage signs, including one which jokingly lists her 'bar rules'.

Gina says 'she always wanted a bar' in her home

The Trim woman admits that her family “don't have far to come home” since renovating the room that was once used as a boys den for her three now grown-up sons. Building the fully kitted out bar was a lifelong ambition for Gina as she explains.

“I always wanted a bar in the house. It was a garage conversion, but we made it into a sitting room for the boys when we moved in first. They had computers and televisions, speakers and game consoles in it. When they got older I turned it into a bar.

“I was in Navan Shopping Centre one day and came across a stall called Wunder-bar, a company run by two brothers from Germany who were trying to sell the idea of home bars here. So they came out to us and we got two taps off them and two coolers then it just escalated after that.

“At first, we just had the bar and a two-seater couch and a little coffee table, it was our cosy room. We took out the couch and put in the bar stools and the chairs. You just pick up bits and pieces as you are going along. We get different things from the antique and curios shop in Longwood. 

Last orders for husband Joe in Gina's bar in Trim 

Following the creation of Gina's Bar, the family now believe they have saved a fortune - as their very own pub means fewer trips out and more time spent at home.

“It's only for family and friends really. We get kegs in for special occasions. We've had the kid's 18ths and 21sts in the bar and they have had a little drink there before their debs so it has a lot of special memories. When my youngest son was getting married, we invited friends in that didn't know one another so they could meet. 

“When we had the bar up and running our friend decided she wanted one and put one in her house. Joe built it and put it all together for her, I think I've started a bit of a trend! 

“We have the Trim Tidy Towns party here every year. I work in Cavan so I don't have a huge amount of time to dedicate to them so that's my contribution. I do the cooking and supply food for the get-togethers.

“There have definitely been some memorable parties in the bar. People can't believe when they come in and see it. 

Gina says she hasn't had to call time on too many stragglers in the pub over the years.

“It’s really only friends and family that would be there that late so no, they know better!”