A 350-seat Irish pub and restaurant opened Thursday, July 23, at 8110 Lakewood Main Street, filling a space that sat empty since McGrath's Kitchen & Cocktails closed in 2025.

Delany's Public House is the work of three Irish-born restaurateurs: Tory Delany, her husband Darren Shore, and business partner Kevin O'Hanlon. The trio spent 13 months renovating the former McGrath's space, which before that housed McAllister's, a Scottish-themed restaurant, from 2006 to 2020.

"It took about 13 months … from start to finish," Delany told the Bradenton Herald. "A little bit longer than we'd expected. We were hoping to be open about four or five months ago, but good things take time."

The owners brought traditional wood furniture and architectural details from Derry's in Northern Ireland. An archway separates the bar area, which includes a live music stage, from the dining room. Smaller private seating areas called "snugs" line the space. In traditional Irish pubs, snugs were partitioned alcoves where women could drink unseen; at Delany's, they're open to everyone.

Delany and Shore have roughly 25 years in the restaurant business. They met in New York City on St. Patrick's Day in 2007, built a portfolio that included the Malt House locations in Greenwich Village and the Financial District, and relocated to the Isles at Lakewood Ranch around 2022. The group also operates Allswell Craft Cocktails & Kitchen at Waterside Place in Sarasota County, which opened in July 2025.

The dinner menu leans on Irish classics: fish and chips, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and an eight-hour braised lamb shank. Appetizers run $9 to $19, most Irish classics land between $18 and $25, and dinner entrees range from $19 to $38. A Sunday roast with top sirloin, Yorkshire pudding, and Guinness gravy goes for $35 starting at 4 p.m., while supplies last.

One standout is the "Spice Bag," a modern Irish street-food dish of french fries, sautéed onions and peppers, and breaded chicken in a signature spice blend, served in a bag with curry sauce on the side. Protein options include crispy chicken, Irish bangers, or crispy shrimp.

The drinks list features Guinness, Delany's Irish Amber, a full range of Irish whiskeys, and hand-batched cocktails on draft.

Jake Keough, who frequented both McAllister's and McGrath's at the same address, was the first customer through the door on opening day. He called the pub "absolutely spectacular" and said the area had long needed "a good Irish bar."

The owners plan to convert the front section into a provisions and sweets shop selling Irish confectionery, dry goods, breads, and candies imported directly from Ireland.

Delany's Public House is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.