Leo's Tavern facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Leo's Tavern Tábhairne Leo
Leo's Tavern in 2005
Restaurant information
Established	1968
Current owner(s)	Leo Brennan (founder) Bartley Brennan (proprietor)
Food type	Irish traditional, European
City	Meenaleck, The Rosses
County	Donegal
Country	Ireland
Other information	Pub, music venue, tourist attraction
Website	www.leostavern.com

Leo's Tavern (called Tábhairne Leo in Irish) is a famous restaurant and pub in County Donegal, Ireland. It's known worldwide as the home of popular music groups like Clannad and famous singers Enya and Moya Brennan. This special place opened in 1968. It quickly became a hub for traditional Irish music. Many musicians gathered there to play. It was also the starting point for the musical careers of Leo Brennan's children. Leo Brennan was the pub's founder.

Leo's Tavern: A Musical Home

The Story Begins

Leo Ó Braonáin, a musician, and his wife Máire "Baba" opened Tábhairne Leo in 1968. This was after the time of popular "showbands" in Ireland. The pub quickly became a popular spot. Musicians and singers would meet there. They would play traditional Irish music together.

Leo's children often helped out at the pub. While working, they would join their father on stage. They shared old Irish stories, called seanchas, with the local people. Later, these children and their uncles formed the band Clannad. They became famous for their Celtic and Folk songs. Leo and Baba's younger children, including Enya, also performed there.

Clannad performing in Leo's in 2005.

Famous Visitors and Growth

After Clannad, Moya, and Enya became very successful, Leo's Tavern welcomed many famous guests. Stars like Bono and The Edge from U2 visited. Other well-known musicians like Paul Brady and Christy Moore also came. Tour buses full of tourists began to visit the pub. They came to hear Leo sing and tell his amazing stories.

The pub was updated in 2003. It now has a restaurant. You can also see special awards there. These include Gold, Platinum, and Diamond discs. They celebrate the success of Clannad, Moya, and Enya. Moya Brennan, along with her parents and siblings, officially reopened the pub. The family and other musicians played music for the celebration.

Special Celebrations

Leo's Tavern was honored during the 2005 Errigal Arts Festival. Leo and Baba Brennan received the "Freedom of Donegal" award. This special ceremony took place on July 14th. Many important people from the Irish government attended.

A series of concerts, called Oidhreacht (which means Legacy in Irish), were held. Moya, Brídín, Enya, Deirdre, and Olive, Leo and Baba's daughters, performed. They sang at a special church service. A jazz concert also took place. Some of these events were shown on Irish TV channels TG4 and RTÉ.

In 2008, Leo's Tavern celebrated its 40th anniversary. A three-day party was held. A concert featured Clannad, Brídín Brennan, and other musicians. Leo Brennan himself also performed. Leo Brennan passed away on June 22, 2016, at the age of 90.