- BAR -

Before the modern-day version of Hewetson Bros. Bar, a public house and cocktail bar opened, the famous name first appeared on Bridge Street over 100 years ago.

Although not known for certain, but it was sometime between 1916 and 1920 that William Hewetson first opened a bike shop and garage here, after his return from the First World War. However, William was at his happiest when fishing and so it was from this, his most favoured hobby, that the premises evolved into one of the Wests leading fishing tackle supply shops. William, known locally as ‘Wille Whitewater’ represented Ireland for fishing from 1932-1936, a fact he was extremely proud of.

His son, Norman, took over the reins of the shop in the mid 1970’s and continued to build on the business his father had created. And like his father, Norman also represented Ireland from 1949-1954 and had the honour and distinction of captaining the Irish Team on his final year with them. Norman took great pride and wit in the fact that he had managed to go one better than his father, so to speak, who had represented Ireland in the same competitions. Norman is well recounted as being ‘one of a kind’ generous and resourceful.

In 1990, Norman and his wife Mary, made the decision to sell the shop which is where The Sheehan Family continued to trade for 25 years, expanding their offering into camping and outdoor goods also.

Fast forward to 2020, Hewetson Bros. Bar was opened. The traditional and familiar shopfront sporting the Mayo colours of green and red was restored, and the premises remains an Aladdin’s cave of fishing and hunting paraphernalia, although now in the surrounding of Mayo's finest cocktails, wine and beers!

Throughout all the changes, one thing still remains within the four walls; excellent customer service, friendly faces and a story.