On Patrol

Members of Easy Company, 506th PIR, 101st ABN – the “Band of Brothers” -- “Babe” Heffron, front row center, and Wild Bill Guarnere, front right, enjoy some time at Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub in Savannah, Georgia. Photo courtesy of Frank EmersonMany a service man and service woman spent the night singing Irish songs at Kevin Barry’s in Savannah.

“You know you’re in friendly territory just by looking at the front of the building, which features alternating flags -- the Stars and Stripes, the Irish Flag, and the black POW/MIA flag along the entire face. Walk inside and upstairs and you’ll find rooms that are a tribute to the military.”

Those words are from Kathy Roth-Douquet’s review of Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub written for Military.com, the largest military membership organization online. She headlined her piece by declaring that Kevin Barry’s had been voted one of the top 10 classic military bars in the world and one of the top 7 in the United States. 

Located in on River Street in Savannah, Georgia, diagonally across from the Savannah World War II Memorial, Vic Power, a U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, opened Kevin Barry’s on October 31, 1980. When you visit the place, you’ll realize right off the bat that this was the perfect spot for the veterans council of Chatham County to erect the memorial.

From the start, Power featured live Irish music in the downstairs “Music Listening Room” seven nights a week. The focus there is on the entertainment, which makes it very much of a showcase room.

Savannah, Georgia’s World War II Memorial as seen from Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub situated across the corner from the memorial. Photo courtesy of Frank Emerson“Kevin Barry’s is known for its music,” Roth-Douquet continued.

He has presented it through tight times and flush times, without a break for over 30 years, with a wealth of top-notch Irish entertainers and superb Irish and American food day in and day out.

All of this is easily good enough to earn first rate scores, but you’ll be knocked out for sure when you get upstairs. On the second floor, there’s a glassed-in balcony overlooking the Savannah River and the World War II Memorial. But before venturing out there, have a look inside.

There’s a cozy fireplace room, which Power has dubbed “Liberty Hall.” On its walls are photographs that span the years and represent various Irish patriots, including Kevin Barry, Michael Collins, Eamonn Mac Thomais, Monsignor Daniel Bourk, and Power’s great uncle -- five-time mayor of Waterford City, Ireland – the Honorable Richard Power.  

The larger main room, equipped with a full-service bar, is the show piece. Here, Power established the Hall of Heroes.

Jammed with photos, paintings, and artifacts representing every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces past and present, as well as first responders, police and fire departments, the Hall of Heroes is an ever-expanding museum and gallery. It’s also an ongoing, growing, and heart-felt tribute to all those who served and serve.

The collection is not just the work of Vic Power, however. Civilians, veterans, and members of all branches of the armed forces, police and fire fighting personnel have contributed pictures and artifacts..

Comments in the guest book attest to the fact that there’s nothing like this anywhere else. There’s even a special section commemorating the heroines and heroes of 9/11 – equipped with artifacts fashioned from the metal from the twin towers.

Kevin Barry’s is the unofficial home away from home for the 1st Ranger Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the 3rd Infantry Division, since they’re all based in Savannah. But, Power says anyone who has ever served and their relatives are always welcome. Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, active, guard and reserves, and even Merchant Marines,  are well represented and honored.

Power contends every time a member of the armed forces comes into the Hall of Heroes it’s a special event. But some things stand out, like the many, many “Hail and Farewell” ceremonies, reunions, and a number of memorial services held within its confines. One fallen Ranger even made it a codicil in his will that there should be a ceremony and party at Kevin Barry’s. That wish was honored and picked up by the local and national media.

When the U.S.S. The Sullivans (DDG-68) was in port, the officers and crew dropped anchor at Kevin Barry’s. Kelly Sullivan Loughran, granddaughter of Albert Sullivan, made certain to come in see the tribute to her grandfather and his brothers.

Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub in Savannah, Georgia is the unofficial home of the 1st Ranger Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and the 3rd Infantry Division, but the pub and its staff offer a warm welcome and tribute to all members of the military. Photo courtesy of Frank EmersonThe daughter of Major Dick Meadows of Delta Force and Son Tay Raid fame, was astonished to discover a tribute to her late father on the wall in the Hall of Heroes.

Just underneath some photographs of the two of them, Babe Heffron and Wild Bill Guarnere of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne, “The Band of Brothers” sat one night and autographed photos and copies of their book for an evening, before heading downstairs to join in the singing and dancing.

Patrons can enjoy the Kevin Barry’s Irish Pub and its Hall of Heroes seven days a week. For more information on the pub, please visit www.kevinbarrys.com.