The Central Inn, Cookstown: new venue hoping to revive reputation of former 'Mid-Ulster social capital'

From left to right, employees Caoimhin Pearson, Padraig McGuckin and Paula McGeagh look forward to welcoming customers to Cookstown's newest bar, The 40 Thieves Tavern — From left to right, employees Caoimhin Pearson, Padraig McGuckin and Paula McGeagh look forward to welcoming customers to Cookstown’s newest bar, The 40 Thieves Tavern

A growing Mid-Ulster pub group will launch its latest venue this weekend after a major refurbishment.

1 Oak Leisure Ireland announced the acquisition of The Central Inn on William Street, Cookstown in May.

Now the building will reopen on Saturday under the name The 40 Thieves Tavern, a name inspired by one of New York’s earliest known criminal gangs.

The location promises customers “a taste of the Big Apple in the 19th century.”

Nicky Wright from 1 Oak Leisure Ireland said: “With its unique concept, inspired by the infamous Irish-American gang that once ruled the streets of New York, The 40 Thieves Tavern is an exciting and very welcome addition to the social scene in Cookstown and the wider Mid-Ulster region…

“We hope The 40 Thieves will breathe new life into Cookstown and take it back to a golden era when the town was once the social capital of Mid-Ulster with people traveling from all over Northern Ireland to come here.”

The bar will open at 7pm on Saturday, with a free drink on arrival for the first 50 customers, 1 Oak Leisure said.

1 Oak Leisure is part of Magherafelt-based Oakleaf Group, which announced the purchase of Hagan’s Bar in Dungannon in September.