Business Will Toast Post-Irene Recovery Efforts, Donate Proceeds To Charity

It has been an eventful year for Barry O'Donovan, owner of as his popular Irish pub rebounds from the devastation leveled by Hurricane Irene one year ago.

flooded the pub's entire basement, ruining kegs, refrigerators, freezers, computers and the entire electrical system.  On the main floor, waters warped the hardwood floors and woodwork. 

What kept O'Donovan going was the support he had from his Cranford friends and neighbors - many of whom faced similar challenges from Irene's fury.

“I always say we were able to recover thanks to our Irish heart and Cranford spirit,” said Barry O’Donovan, owner of The Kilkenny House, which will donate 10 percent of its proceeds on the anniversary of the storm to Cranford Family Care, which helps local residents face all types of challenges. 

“Others came to help me in my time of need.  I believe it's very important to give back," O'Donovan continued. "But this is a happy occasion for us, and we will have champagne and a proper Irish toast at 8:30 p.m."

The native of Kilkenny, Ireland says he owes gratitude to so many people that he couldn't name them all, but in particular he singled out Paul LeCorte, local politicians, the Cranford Police and Fire Departments, the Small Business Administration, which helped secure disaster funding, and the contractors who worked so hard to restore Kilkenny House to its former glory in just six weeks' time. 

Located at 112 South Ave. East in Cranford, NJ, Kilkenny House Restaurant and Pub can be reached at (908) 276-3414, visit http://thekilkennyhouse.com or join the Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/KilkennyHouseCranford.