Photos: Johnny Bambury: Mark, Martin, Patricia, and Glynn McGowan
and Glynn McGowan
One of Drogheda’s best-known pubs has been named Best Tourist Pub for the North East in the Irish Pub Awards 2026.
Peggy Moore’s at Sunday’s Gate will now go forward to the national final, where it will compete against six other regional winners for the title of Best Tourist Pub in Ireland.
The national awards will take place at the Mansion House in Dublin on Wednesday, 18th November.
Glenn McGowan of Peggy Moore’s said:
“We’ve always known how special Peggy Moore’s is, but to receive this kind of recognition was honestly beyond what we expected.”
“Peggy Moore’s is nearly 120 years old, and our hope is that it will still be here welcoming locals and visitors for another 120 years. We want to keep bringing people to Drogheda, supporting the local community and showing visitors just how special this part of Ireland is.”
Celebrating their news are, Ella Murphy, receptionist, Mark McGowan, Patricia and Martin McGowan, Glenn McGowan and Justina Makauskaite, Eimear Murray, Sous Chef, David Floody, Barman and, Noel McVeigh, Head Chef.
Old character with a modern feel
And while Peggy’s has deep roots, there is nothing old-fashioned about its appeal. Taken over by the McGowan family in 2019, a family with five generations of publicans behind them.
“Peggy Moore’s blends old-school Irish pub traditions with a fresh new energy, from pickled eggs and cheddar cheese boards to espresso martinis, live music, and history tours.” Original artefacts uncovered in the attic were restored and returned to the pub. Its history is now part of the experience, with free pub history tours bringing the story of Peggy Moore’s, Drogheda, and Ireland to visitors.
But this is no museum. Peggy’s is a lively working Irish pub, serving food seven days a week, hosting regular live music, and known for a great pint of Porter. Its modern 50-bed hostel upstairs has brought a new international audience through the doors, welcoming visitors from the USA, Japan, Kazakhstan, Tasmania, and beyond.
The McGowan family and a new generation of customers sit comfortably alongside generations of local regulars. Tourists looking for an authentic Irish pub experience find themselves sharing the bar with people who have been coming to Peggy’s for years.
It is a pub that bridges generations: old Drogheda character with fresh energy.
National recognition for Drogheda
The award gives Peggy Moore’s a chance to represent Drogheda and the North East on a national stage.
The Irish Pub Awards are now in their eighth year and recognise pubs across a range of categories, with national winners announced at the annual gala.
For the McGowan family, the recognition comes as their hospitality presence around Sunday’s Gate has continued to grow.
Nearby Scholars Townhouse Hotel and Sunday Street are also operated by the family, creating a cluster of hospitality venues within a short walk of each other.
Martin McGowan said:
“We’re thrilled, and it’s great to see all the hard work paying off. My 70th birthday falls on the same night as the awards in the Mansion House, so maybe that’ll bring us a bit of luck.”
Peggy Moore’s will now represent the North East at the national Best Tourist Pub final on 18th November.
Next stop: the Mansion House!
