On Feb 22nd, we joined a 40th birthday celebration for our friend Kevin. Organized by his wife Lauren, and best friend Doug, it was a gathering of family and friends at a restaurant in Kennebunk, Maine.
In downtown Kennebunk we gathered at Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub. It's a small, locally owned place with a bar and a small seating area and lots of dollar bills tacked to the ceiling (which I'll about explain later).
(Photo: Kevin holds up the paddle with his face on it and Lauren leans in!)
Everyone was seated at a long table in the front of the restaurant, near the door, so when Kevin walked in first, we all held up his face picture on the paddle and wished him happy birthday.
(Photos: Kevin and Lauren walking into the restaurant and seeing everyone at the table)
We were happy that they played lots of 70s and 80s pop music during the celebration. It's fascinating to me (who worked on air as a DJ in the 80s and 90s) that 70s and 80s music remains much more popular than music of the 90s and early 2000s, but I'm not complaining!
ABOUT THE RESTAURANT'S CEILING - One of the employees told me that when the pub was first opened, one of the owners tacked a dollar bill on the ceiling after signing it. It then became a tradition. The walls and ceilings are filled with autographed dollar bills, including dates posted. When you get the menu, you'll also get a plastic cup of tacks and black markers to autograph your own dollar if you want to make a statement!
Doug and some of Kevin and Lauren's friends created little temporary tattoos with Kevin's face on it, and 1" high stickers of Kevin's face wearing a birthday hat, AND everyone got paddles with Kevin's face, that we held up when he walked into the restaurant.
Everyone was seated at a long table in the front of the restaurant, near the door, so when Kevin walked in first, we all held up his face picture on the paddle and wished him happy birthday. 
Friends and family came from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine for the gathering!
RYAN'S RESTAURANT SIGNATURE -Ryan's Corner House Irish Pub is the proud home of Maine's largest selection of Irish Whiskeys, which dominate a substantial portion of the bar shelves.
(Photo: Doug, the party planner is sitting on the left wearing sunglasses. Notice others are holding the "Kevin faces.")
ABOUT THE RESTAURANT - There are Ireland posters, pictures and postcards adorning the walls. There are also posts about popular Irish brands such as Guinness, Bushmills, and Murphys. In 2009, the owners Joe and Tracy Ryan moved there from Ireland and opened the restaurant.
(Photo right: Doug, the handsome party planner with amazing arms and a great smile)
Sadly it is closing in September 2025 after 14 years of business.
Thanks so much for making a visit to celebrate Kevin’s special day Rob and Tom! Love you both!! Amazing weekend! Slainte! 🍀♥️
ReplyDelete♥️Lauren
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