A new Irish pub has opened its doors in Altrincham, promising to bring traditional Irish entertainment to the town centre.
Gallagher's Tavern on the Green, located on Stamford New Road, has taken over the former Tavern on the Green premises - which was also once the Faulkner's Arms - with mother and son team Jacqui and Callum Gallagher at the helm.
The family-run business has turned around the venue in just nine days, with changes including a large Guinness mural created by local artist Richard Preston, with further renovations still planned over the next few weeks.
For Callum Gallagher, 29, the pub represents a chance to combine his family's deep roots in the pub trade with his own impressive background in Irish dancing.
"I have danced since I was about six or seven," Callum told Altrincham Today. "I competed all the way up until I was about 14. I got 10th in the world championships when I was 13, and I was European champion three times. I also won the Northwest championship about seven times."
Callum, who will also begin studying for a degree in Business at Manchester University this year while co-managing the pub, plans to incorporate Irish dancing performances into the venue's entertainment line-up.
He still performs with Sonas, an established Irish dancing group whose name means "happiness" in Gaelic.
"We'll be doing performances in here," he said. "I'll get some time to put my shoes on!"
The Gallaghers are no strangers to the pub trade, with Jacqui boasting 40 years of experience behind bars across the North West, having run around eight or nine different establishments throughout her career.
"My mum's brought me up in pubs - I've spent more time in pubs than houses!"
The new venture follows the success of their first pub, the Horseshoe in Levenshulme, which they've run for about six years and which has "taken off to a new level" after being revamped with a greater focus on the Irish community.
Take a look inside:
"We've looked at the traditional Irish music scene and brought everything together," said Callum, who will be overseeing general management while his mother "pulls the strings at the back".
Entertainment at Gallagher's will include live music, with plans for a fiddle player, Colleen Langan, to perform regularly.
Food will be added to the offering in the coming weeks once the kitchen is sorted, with specialties including steak and Guinness pies - although as a nod to their Murphy's stout, Callum suggested they might serve "steak and Murphy's pies" as well.
In keeping with the pub's heritage, they've maintained part of the previous name, officially calling it "Gallagher's Tavern on the Green". The family name itself has Irish roots, originating from Galway, though Callum's family hails from Wexford and Leitrim.
The pub will be holding a 'Grand Opening Party' on Saturday, with an appearance from DJ Cagney, from 7.30pm.
