A year Mayo will never forget - and one McGreal family never will either

For the people of Mayo, 2026 will forever be remembered as the year Sam Maguire finally came home after a 75-year wait.

It was a year of celebration, pride and renewed optimism across the county.

For one young Achill family, however, 2026 will hold another special significance – the year they brought one of the island's best-known hospitality businesses back to life.

Damian and Marisa McGreal are a young married couple raising three young boys, aged four, two and a half, and one.

Like many families across Mayo, they have spent years working hard to build a future while balancing family life with business commitments.

Their journey has been one of determination, resilience and a belief in investing in their local community.

In 2025, they made what many would consider a bold decision.

They invested almost €500,000 to purchase and completely refurbish a landmark premises in Dugort, Achill Island, that had closed its doors in 2024.

The closure had left a noticeable gap in the local community, with many wondering if the much-loved venue would ever reopen.

Rather than allowing the building to remain another empty premises, the McGreals saw an opportunity.

Following months of planning, refurbishment and investment, they proudly reopened the business in May as McGreal's at the Golden Strand, creating a modern gastro pub while respecting the history and reputation of the iconic location.

Their vision extended far beyond simply reopening a bar.

The couple wanted to create a welcoming destination where local families, tourists and visitors alike could enjoy quality food, genuine Mayo hospitality and a vibrant atmosphere.

Today, the business serves food daily from 12 noon until 8 p.m. and has quickly established itself as a destination for both locals and the thousands of visitors who travel to Achill each year.

Live entertainment, locally sourced hospitality and community events have become central to what they are trying to achieve.

The reopening has also created valuable employment opportunities in the area, contributing to the local economy at a time when rural businesses continue to play an important role in sustaining communities across the west of Ireland.

While many people know Damian through the hospitality industry, the family's business interests extend well beyond the pub.

The couple also operate Maridam Construction & Civil Engineering Ltd., delivering building and civil engineering projects throughout Galway, Mayo and the west of Ireland.

Marisa works as a nurse, while Damian also farms alongside managing their construction, hospitality and property businesses.

Balancing several businesses while raising three young children has required commitment, long hours and considerable sacrifice.

Yet the family believes investing in Mayo is an investment worth making.

Reopening McGreal's at the Golden Strand has undoubtedly been one of the greatest challenges they have undertaken, but it has also become one of their proudest achievements.

The project represents more than the restoration of a building.

It demonstrates confidence in Achill's future, belief in local tourism and a commitment to ensuring that important community spaces continue to thrive.

For many visitors, a pub is simply somewhere to enjoy a meal or a drink. In rural communities, however, it often serves as a meeting place, a venue for celebrations, music, sporting occasions and bringing people together. Recognising that role has been central to the McGreals' vision since taking ownership.

The timing of the reopening has made the achievement even more memorable.

As Mayo celebrated ending a 75-year wait for Sam Maguire, the McGreals celebrated the completion of a project that had demanded enormous financial investment, countless hours of work and unwavering determination. For the family, the two events have become forever linked.

Just as Sam Maguire's return symbolised hope, pride and belief for the county, the reopening of McGreal's at the Golden Strand represents another positive story for Mayo - one of investment, employment, confidence and community regeneration.

In an era where many rural businesses face uncertainty, the reopening of a landmark premises sends a powerful message that there is still cofidence in the future of towns, villages and communities throughout the county.

For Damian and Marisa, the greatest reward has been seeing the doors open once again, welcoming customers old and new, hearing laughter return to the building and watching local people embrace the business once more.

Although the refurbishment is complete, they see this as only the beginning.

Their ambition is to continue developing McGreal's at the Golden Strand as one of Achill's leading hospitality destinations, while maintaining the warm welcome and community spirit that has always been associated with the premises.

Looking back, the family knows that 2026 will always hold a special place in their hearts. It was the year Mayo celebrated one of its greatest sporting triumphs. It was also the year a cherished Achill landmark began a new chapter.

For the McGreals, both stories share the same themes - hard work, perseverance, belief and pride in County Mayo.

As visitors continue to discover McGreal's at the Golden Strand and locals once again make it part of their community, the family hopes their story will encourage others to continue investing in Mayo's future.

After all, 2026 will be remembered not only as the year Sam Maguire came home, but also as the year another Mayo success story was written on the shores of Achill Island.