Renovated Donnybrook Hotel reopening with food on Monday

When publican Mark McCarthy took over the Donnybrook Hotel he had grand plans – but shutting down 18 days later due to coronavirus restrictions was not one of them. While the pandemic threw a “devastating” spanner in the works, it has given Mr McCarthy two months to give the heritage-listed hotel some much needed TLC, ready for its reopening on Monday. And for the first time in almost a decade, people will be able to stop in for a parmi and a pint. “The previous owner leased it to a tenant who ran the place for 22 years,” Mr McCarthy said. “But I don’t think they’d run the kitchen in about eight years.” “But I’ve been able to continue renovations that I wouldn’t have been able to do if we were open.” Mr McCarthy – who has run pubs in Northam and Collie previously – said he was looking forward to putting his stamp on the pub and making it a real community hub. Once things return to normal he hoped to bring in live music and host events at the venue, but for now, due to coronavirus restrictions, he will be offering three dine-in sessions a night for 20 patrons. “Donnybrook is such a beautiful town and I’ve had so much support from the community,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of excitement around the town ... there’s going to be a great pub they can bring their family and friends to. Opening with a 20 people limit is not what I expected, but that’s OK, we can ease into it.” While working around the clock for the past two months has been a mammoth effort, it has also been an exciting step back in time. “It was built in three sections, the first in around 1898, the second about 1920 and the third in the 1940s,” Mr McCarthy said. Removing false ceilings to uncover the pressed tin, replacing carpets, overhauling the bar and kitchen, restoring the hotel rooms and extending the beer garden are just some of the changes patrons will notice upon their return. And of course, a hotly-anticipated menu of pub grub.