Authentic Irish pub in works for B'town Twp.

BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — An Evesham resident, who spent several years growing up in Dublin, Ireland, plans to open an authentic Irish pub and restaurant along Route 130, serving up pints of Guinness and shepherd's pie.

Michael McGeough said the exterior of the restaurant will be decorated with colorful murals to resemble an Irish street. Many features, including the bar, lighting fixtures, chairs and tables, will be constructed in Ireland and shipped to the United States.

“What we are trying to do is create a little Irish village in that block,” he said. “We've gone to great lengths to have a design team in Ireland to create that effect.”

The restaurant will be on the site of the closed Jim's Tavern, between the Town and Country Diner and Mastoris Professional Plaza.

McGeough said he will renovate Jim's Tavern, and will add on to the structure to expand the kitchen and add a restroom.

The 5,080-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 183 guests. The first floor will have a bar, a fireplace and a stage for live bands to perform. On the second floor, there will be a library with McGeough family pictures, a second bar and additional seating. A portion of the floor will be open, so that diners on the second floor can watch the band below.

McGeough said the restaurant is a joint venture with the Auld Dubliner Pub Group, a company that operates Irish pubs in Illinois, California, Nevada and Arizona.

McGeough has hired an Irish design firm, Ol' Irish Pubs, to provide the furnishings and decorations.

According to the restaurant's Web site, www.dublinsquarepubs.com, the menu will include traditional Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage, beef stew, fish and chips, and baked potatoes. There also will be standard American food, including burgers, chicken club, New York steak, and Caesar salad.

McGeough's parents are both Irish natives who had immigrated to New Jersey. When McGeough was 13 years old, he moved back to Dublin, Ireland, with his parents and his six siblings. McGeough spent several years in Ireland, and moved back to the United States to finish high school here.

McGeough will present his plans before the township Planning Board at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday. At that meeting, he will seek preliminary and final site plan approval.

He hopes to begin renovations by the end of August and open by Thanksgiving. McGeough said the Bordentown location will be the first of several Irish restaurants he plans to construct in the South Jersey area.

Contact Lauri Sheibley at lsheibley@phillyBurbs.com