Community deals with loss of 'second home' Riley's Pour House

Crews fighting a fire at Riley's Pour House in Carnegie
Crews fighting a fire at Riley's Pour House in Carnegie Photo credit KDKA Radio

Many patrons and former workers at Riley's Pour House are devastated about the fire that destroyed the popular bar and restaurant Thursday afternoon.

The 4-alarm fire broke out after lunch time and quickly spread through the pub, damaging two attached buildings.

The Pour House was demolished by crews late Thursday.

For over 40 years the Pour house was one of the few places Pittsburgh’s Irish community would come to celebrate with food, drinks and live music.

Irish entertainer Jim Lamb, who heads the Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, performed there often and talked with KDKA Radio's Michael Bartley about the impact of the loss of Riley's in Carnegie and the region.

“We don’t really have a dedicated place for convening and bringing people together, the Pour House was that for a lot of people, especially in the western suburbs, the western communities of Allegheny County,” said Lamb.

Lamb began performing there in 1985, eventually becoming a regular act every Tuesday.

“I got a chance to really learn to be a musician and learn my craft in a way that allowed me to express my way of Irishness and that was through music,” said Lamb.

Many Pittsburgh-Irish families spent countless hours at the Pour House, including the Gallagher family out of Sheraden. Longtime Pittsburgh Irish performer Mike Gallagher has played countless shows at the Pour House over the years, along with his son and Pittsburgh firefighter, John Morgan.

“So sad! We have so many wonderful family memories here. It was like a second home in my 20s!” said Eileen Landucci (Gallagher).

“So sad,” said Betsy Limberg (Gallagher). “I remember going there when it was just a hole in the wall.”

“The Entire Murphy Family is heartbroken today,” said John Murphy on Facebook. “Dennis Murphy is in Heaven praying for the Riley’s. Our Prayers go out to everyone involved in this Family Irish Establishment and the tears are being felt around Pittsburgh and Ireland.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: KDKA Radio