Our story · Canton Square since 1995
Two addresses, one family: Chase Street downtown, then O’Donnell Street in Canton
Claddagh Pub did not start on the Square. It started as a family-owned Irish pub in downtown Baltimore, and the family carried that pub across the city to the corner where they had grown up. Here is how the two connect, in the family’s own words where we can.
From the first pub to the corner on the Square
The sentences in quotation marks are the family’s, set down as they wrote them.
- Chase StreetThe 1970s, into the 1980sDowntown Baltimore
“Was a continuation of a family owned Irish Pub in downtown Baltimore on Chase Street in the 1970’s and into the 1980’s.”
Before there was a Claddagh Pub on the Square, there was the family's Irish pub downtown, on Chase Street through the 1970s and into the 1980s. That is where the family decided this business was for them.
- Between the twoThe early 1990sCanton, reborn
“In the early 90’s Canton was going through a rebirth and we knew it was going to be the place to be.”
Born and raised on O'Donnell Street, the family watched the renovations arrive and a much younger crowd move in, and decided the corner was where the next pub should stand.
- O'Donnell StreetSpring 1995Canton Square
“Claddagh Pub opened in the Spring of 1995.”
The doors opened at 2918 O'Donnell Street, and they have stayed open to the neighborhood ever since: weekend mornings from nine for the early games, and pints poured until two.
Not newcomers to Canton
Born and raised on O’Donnell Street
“Although we are not newcomers to Canton, born and raised on O’Donnell Street, it still was becoming unrecognizable with all the renovations and take over by a much younger generation.”
That is the difference you feel on the Square. The people behind the bar know the block because it was their block first, and they opened a pub on it while the block was still changing around them.
Still a staple on the Square
“Well 22 years later, Claddagh Pub remains a staple on the Square and we love what we do and hope to continue this adventure for many more years.”
In our own words: we have poured on this corner since 1995, and we still thank the friends old and new, and every person who has worked a shift here, for getting us this far.
Céad Míle Fáilte
Clarke Family
2918 O'Donnell St, Baltimore, MD 21224