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HERE

The Dublin House Harp Shines Again

March 6, 2022 | 7:33 PM
in ART, HISTORY, NEWS
14
The instant of illumination. Photograph by Margie Smith Holt.

By Margie Smith Holt

“It looks good, doesn’t it?” Dublin House owner Mike Cormican asked, just moments after the vintage neon sign above his bar—a 12-foot, one-story-tall, green Irish harp—flashed on in restored glory.

It sure does.

Photograph by Margie Smith Holt.

About 75 people—regulars, passers-by, some of New York’s bravest—gathered on the sidewalk of 79th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Saturday night to see the sign lit up, providing an impromptu countdown that was delayed just slightly when Cormican came out and joined the crowd to watch, forgetting that he was the one who was supposed to flip the switch.

Mike Cormican. Photograph by Jay Potter.

“That’s Mike!” laughed bartender Nicola Cusack, adding, “It’s spectacular. It’s great to have it back shining again.”

Cormican, who hails from County Galway in the west of Ireland, started tending bar at the Dublin House in 1993. In 2006 he bought the place. One of NYC’s iconic Irish pubs—Guinness and Harp on tap, Irish-born staff pouring the Jameson, the occasional traditional Irish music session in the back—the UWS institution just celebrated its 100th anniversary. Step into its dark, wood-paneled interior and, once your eyes adjust, you might think you’ve time-traveled (as the location scouts for Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel discovered.)

Midge Maisel and Lenny Bruce at the bar. Photograph by Lulu Vision.

The Dublin House opened as a speakeasy in 1921. (Fun fact: according to The New York Times, the townhouse was once owned by Emily Post. Did the queen of etiquette know about the illicit imbibing?) The neon harp, a mere 89 years old, made its first appearance in 1933, at the end of Prohibition. The bar’s original owner, Dublin-born John Carway, was apparently ready to advertise. Designed by E.G. Clarke Inc. of New York, the original sign said “restaurant” where it now says “tap room.”  The harp—when fully lit—is visible blocks away.

“It’s so ancient, it’s so old,” said Cormican. “We’re one of the oldest signs in Manhattan. So it’s a big thing to have.”

2019. Photograph by Carol Tannenhauser.

The sign had fallen into disrepair but with recession, COVID, and a hefty price tag, there was no money to fix it.

“It’s super, super, super expensive,” said Cusack.

Enter craftsman Jeff Friedman of Tribeca studio Let There Be Neon (described by the Guardian as “the go-to rescuer and creator of custom neon in New York.”) He organized a GoFundMe to raise money for the restoration.

“It’s really a special piece,” Friedman says. “You’ve got a combination of the lettering…and an absolutely beautiful graphic of this harp that is very reminiscent in design and style of the ‘30s and ’40s. It very clearly goes back to that era.”

“He said a lot of people want to keep the sign going,” Cormican recalled. “He said, ‘Don’t worry about it. We’ll set it up.’”

The $15,000 goal was surpassed in 24 hours.

“It was all him,” Cusack said. “It would never have been possible. We’d never even thought about it.”

She interrupts our interview to call out to patrons.

“Thank you very much guys!”

Mike and Nicola. Photograph by Jeff McNerney.

They’re so grateful for all the support, she says.

“I just want to reach out to everybody and say thanks very much. This would not have been possible without people that helped out with the GoFundMe and walked by with donations. It would never ever have happened without Jeff from Neon…We’re really appreciative, really just so happy. I didn’t expect this type of turnout.”

“We’re really proud and humbled by the fact that we’re able to bring the piece back to life. Important things just tend to disappear before you even notice,” Friedman said. “I wish for another 100 years.”

They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway, as the song goes, but Times Square these days is bedecked in the less lyrical LED. Vintage neon like the Dublin House’s harp is fading away. New York Neon author Thomas Rinaldi writes in his blog of the same name that 3,400 permits for illuminated signs were issued in Manhattan in 1933; the Dublin House harp is one of three signs that remain.

(Be warned: if you’re a history buff, you can easily while away an entire afternoon going down the rabbit hole of NYC’s vanishing neon masterpieces. Best to do it over a pint of Guinness at the Dublin House bar, as this writer can attest.)

Known for their Guinness. Photograph by Margie Smith Holt.

Here on the UWS, however, at least one sign of the past shines on, beckoning thirsty travelers and offering, as they might say in the old country, a thousand welcomes.

Cusack thinks it’s a great sign for the future as well. It’s been a rough couple of years, not just at Dublin House but all over the city.

“It’s just a good new start for us, you know?” she said.

“Give me a good write-up!” Cormican urged, as he greeted new guests and cleaned up behind others. “If you can send us some people, I’ll be happy.”

Done. Slainte!

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14 Comments
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jhminnyc
jhminnyc
1 year ago

Such a great story all round. Thanks.

0
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Terry Rosenberg
Terry Rosenberg
1 year ago

This story warms my heart. This is the best of humanity when we come together to create or recreate something that brings people together in a space that is uplifting and welcoming. These spaces are becoming rarer these days but as far as I can tell. I’m a newcomer to the UWS. I’m definitely going to visit.

0
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Dale Brown
Dale Brown
1 year ago

It’s so wonderful to see the sign in all it’s glory! A wonderful landmark! Brings character back to the 200 block on West 79th Street!

0
Reply
CWR
CWR
1 year ago

Jeff Friedman the owner of Let There Be Neon is brilliant and so dedicated to the survival of neon around the city.
Beautiful!

2
Reply
Alan Myers
Alan Myers
1 year ago
Reply to  CWR

I spent many happy and entertaining days at “Let There Be Neon” in the 70’s and 80″ and was never not entertained. And now that I live on 79th and West End I pass the Bar often. I love seeing it restored to it’s beauty

0
Reply
Steevie
Steevie
1 year ago

They have improved the sign. Years ago, because the neon letters were connected it looked like it said “STARRROOM” not “TAP ROOM”.

0
Reply
Susan Jeffries
Susan Jeffries
1 year ago

This makes me so happy! Restoration, in my opinion, is a beautiful thing. A big thank you to all involved for restoring this wonderful Art Deco Irish Treasure!!!

0
Reply
Sarah
Sarah
1 year ago

Nice work, everyone!

0
Reply
Gretchen
Gretchen
1 year ago

Bravo! Dazzling and just in time for St. Patrick’s Day! See y’all on 3/17! Slainte indeed!

0
Reply
Kathleen
Kathleen
1 year ago

SO HAPPY to see that beautiful sign brought back to life again. My father and grandfather were regulars. Bravos to Jeff. Let’s raise a glass to Mr. Cormican and to Ms. Cusack.

0
Reply
Jeff
Jeff
1 year ago

Cheers to all involved, this sign is a beauty.

I wish more business owners would invest in large/distinctive neon signs, they add loads of neighborhood character and, given the scarcity of such signs, really help businesses stand out.

0
Reply
Kayson212
Kayson212
1 year ago

Enjoyed reading this piece. Deft and light.

0
Reply
John Kenney
John Kenney
1 year ago

An uplifting story— and a great reminder that I need to swing by for a beer.

0
Reply
Mary Quilter
Mary Quilter
1 year ago

Alove dublin house

0
Reply

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