By Bill Heaney
If you’re Irish come into the Harp Club in Dumbarton High Street. And if you’re not called Timothy, Mick or Pat then don’t worry about a thing.
There will be a warm welcome on the mat for you and maybe even a pint of the best Guinness in town or a Baileys, or even a wee drop of Jameson’s fine Irish whiskey or a cup of tea or coffee while you take the weight off your feet.
Everything changes. The Harp Club have spent a lot of money recently bringing the old High Church into the 21st century.
And they want to get the message out to the community – the whole community – about what they are trying to do to make West Dunbartonshire a better place to live and work in.
Jim Gillen, a member of the management team at the Harp Club, told The Democrat: “Since Covid, trading conditions have been very difficult for a lot of pubs and clubs in the area, so we have made a determined effort to be more than just a traditional ‘drinking club’ and offer a real service to our community.
“Various parts of the club are now used throughout the week for children’s dancing and drama groups. We have a close relationship with the West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, and we make our facilities available to other local groups on a regular basis.
“Our not for profit ethos allows us to support the people of West Dunbartonshire when they need it most, not just at funerals, but at other life events such as christenings, first communions and weddings, where the pressure on some families to spend more than they can afford can be massive.
“We are also looking to expand the entertainment we offer in the club.
“Our recently introduced Harp Acoustic Sessions are designed to support local talent, our brunches and afternoon teas are for people who prefer a day out rather than a night out (home in time for Strictly!) and we are bringing bigger bands in such as our upcoming Oasis and ABBA tributes.
