Cheers! Dundalk's Mo Chara lads launch their own beer

Three friends for life whose dream it was to set up their own pub. 

Now, after two years of running the Community Taphouse ‘Mo Chara’ in Dundalk, the Beer Boys are now launching Ireland’s most sup-able lager –Mo Chara Lager. 

Fulfilling a lifelong dream, three best friends, Cillian Mulligan, Paul Kelly, and Vincent Mulligan, set up their own community taphouse in their hometown of Dundalk, offering the best the local community has to offer in a novel and unique setting.

The name ‘Mo Chara’, meaning ‘my friend’ in Irish, was inspired by their lifelong friendship and the spirit of their brand.

Opened in 2021, Mo Chara, has become a multi-generational hub of the community in the northeast, offering top notch pizzas and one of the widest ranges of craft beers in Ireland.

Now the lads, who are all in their twenties, are expanding their sights by bringing a wee taste of Dundalk to the masses. 

The lads said they are now delighted to be launching Mo Chara Lager. With a tagline like Lager na Daoine / The People’s Lager, this grip & sip is the no nonsense top-notch tasting beer you've been waiting for, they said.

They said it is a real clean and smooth 4.2% gluten-free lager with all of that flavour. This is one you're gonna want to grab a four pack and sup a few back.

Mo Chara Lager is being distributed nationwide by Four Corners and is available now from all good independent off licences, bars, and restaurants.

The label takes visual cues from the classic label artwork of the Great Northern Brewery in Dundalk from the 1890’s, along with nods to the interior of the Mo Chara premises which was built in 1902. 

The lads will be launching the brand-new beer in Mo Chara on Friday 8th December.

Visitors can expect the full Mo Chara experience with a free stubby on arrival, banging pizza, and a vinyl DJ and live music to get the night going. All welcome!

Cilian said that launching their own lager is an exciting prospect.

“We have come so far in such a short time”, he continued.

“We were honoured to win ‘Pub of the Year’ at the Louth Business Awards in our first year open, and now we can’t wait to bring a little bit of Dundalk to beer lovers nationwide.

“Dundalk has a rich history of brewing and distilling, and our wee stubby is the perfect combo of tradition meets tomorrow, with the label design featuring a special nod to Mo Chara’s arched brick windows built in 1902.

“Not a lot of people know, but our initial dream was to start a brewery and launch a beer, but we very quickly realised we didn’t have a spare couple of million lying around and decided opening a pub first and going about it a different way would allow us time to build the brand and our vision.

“So, launching Mo Chara Lager is kind of a culmination of everything we had initially dreamed of, and we firmly believe Mo Chara Lager will be Ireland’s most sup-able lager!”

When Cillian, Paul and Vincent met during primary school, they became instant best friends and have been inseparable ever since.

The three studied at NUIG together and spent their summers on J1 visas in Canada, France, and Chicago.

After their studies Cillian and Paul worked as Jameson Brand Ambassadors in Bangalore, India, learning all about the drinks industry; and Vincent completed a thesis in Marketing in the Irish Craft Beer industry.

When they found themselves back together working in a local brewery in Dundalk, they started to dream again.

Using all the knowledge they had collectively accrued and their common love of the area, they set out to make this dream a reality.

The opportunity arose to take over the historic ‘Century Bar’ in the heart of Dundalk and the plan was set in motion.

They jumped at the chance and set about restoring the listed building to its former glory. 

Mo Chara is not simply a pub, but a hub in the northeast, they said.

They showcase the best arts and culture from the region by creating a space that encourages collaboration and celebrates the creators, through musical performances by local artists, Comedy Nights, Mo’s Sunday Markets, Cocktail Canvas Club, and Pottery and Pints events to name a few. 

Supporting local producers is very important to them, and they use only the best quality ingredients in their kitchen, combining Neapolitan style pizza with Irish takeaway toppings.

They host sell-out kitchen pop-ups each month, inviting the best restaurants from all over Ireland to take over their kitchen for a night.

Most recent to host was ‘Michelin Guide’ listed Dublin based Chinese restaurant Big Fan, in September.

It is a big part of Mo Chara’s ethos to give back to the local community, donating 10c of every pint of house beer to a local charity.

They also host regular community led events and initiatives, sponsoring local and national charities.  

Even though recent times have been trying for the hospitality sector, the Mo Chara lads have thrived with their unique take on community and inclusivity while embodying the spirit of the mystical area surrounding Dundalk where they grew up and became friends.

They are representatives of the warrior spirit of the town as shown by their tireless commitment to community.