Steve Duggan, co-founder and for many years the owner of Paddy's Reilly's pub on Second Avenue in Manhattan, has died.
Duggan, known to many as "Stevie," was one of the best known publicans in New York City, his reputation stretching from the city all the way back to his native Cavan.
"I'm in total shock," said Duggan's longtime friend Tom McGrath, who owns The Black Sheep on Third Avenue, a hostelry that Duggan often repaired to when he wanted to be on the customer side of the bar.
"We played football in college. We played against each other at county level, minor and senior. And we played football out here. We were great friends," said McGrath, who is from Fermanagh.
"This is a major loss to the community. He always had a story to tell."
Many of those stories originated from inside Paddy Reilly's which, over the years, became a major music venue despite its limited space.
Writing in the Echo recently, columnist Larry Kirwan recalled forming Black 47 in Paddy Reilly's along with Chris Byrne.
"Steve Duggan, manager and eventually owner of Paddy Reilly’s, saw our potential. And why not? The place was jammed, the pints were flowing, enough said!" Kirwan wrote.
