These words were discovered, carved on the wall, as workmen excavated the basement of the old convent during the restoration of CHIJMES (in the heart of Singapore's Civic District across from Raffles Hotel). This obscure reference to Dublin, the home of creamy black stout, turned out to be the first clue in uncovering the legend of Father Patrick Flanagan, once known as Singapore's favourite Irish Priest.

As work progressed on the CHIJMES, it soon became clear that Father Flanagan's famous secret brewery of the mid-nineteenth century actually lay amid the labyrinth of chambers and tunnels below the area now known as the Fountain Court.

For this turned out to be no ordinary convent. During the restoration, an old basement was found and converted to the beautiful Fountain Court as it exists today. It was perhaps in this old basement that the merry voices of Sisters once echoed (merrier still after sampling Flanagan's brew!), and where remnants of Flanagan's old brewery were discovered. Tucked away in a dusty corner, artifacts of Flanagan's brewing implements were found along with the good Father's much treasured writings and recipes inscribed on old parchment.

Flanagan is no more and the Sisters have all departed. His brewery though, still exists; and when it was discovered under CHIJMES, it was clear that an Irish Pub would have to be opened on the site to keep the Father Flanagan tradition alive. This will be no ordinary pub. To honour Father Flanagan's memory it will recapture his spirit and warm personality, the "Craic agus Ceol" that Flanagan brought with him from the shores of Ireland. Only the finest beers and smoothest whiskies will be served, with the tastiest food.

We believe the good Father would have approved.