Popular Kilkenny House Pub In Cranford Closes, Blaming 'Hurricane Women' And COVID-19

CRANFORD, NJ — A popular bar/restaurant in Cranford has closed, blaming recent "Hurricane Women" (presumably Ida, which flooded Cranford, and others) and the pandemic — but those who want a piece of it can buy items from the restaurant at auction through next week.

Kilkenny House Restaurant had this message on their website and on various social media Thursday:

"To all our loyal customers! The Hurricane Women coupled with the pandemic forced our doors to close many a time and The Kilkenny House has done soul searching and has decided that opening for a 4th time will not be part of our wonderful story.

"The sentiments of the exciting and heartfelt journey will be shared at a later date!

"For now, if you want to take a look and purchase items that were part of the Kilkenny House history they will be available starting this evening via
http://amodeoauctions.com/ Thank you for everything and I will be in touch! Sláinte, Barry."

Under its announcement on Instagram, patrons and even the Downtown Cranford organization thanked the owners.

"Ugh sad news," wrote one person. "Love my little Kilkenny house family."

"I met my husband and got engaged here," said a fan named JennHolly.

The bar at 112 South Avenue has been cited by various publications and websites as among the best Irish pubs in New Jersey.

It opened in 2008.

The auctioneers have a long list of items for sale through Oct. 4, including high top tables, microwaves, mini-refrigerators, Samsung TV's, a juicer, a blender, and Fortessa china dinnerware.

Bar customers seemed to enjoy the last message, a different reaction than when a Maplewood bar closed in 2020 and wrote, "The pandemic killed us."

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