Team From Flanagan's Opens New Pub In Islip Next Week

ISLIP, NY— Before Flanagan's Pub in Lake Ronkonkoma, there was the original Lily Flanagan's: a family-run pub that opened in 1987 Main Street in Islip, and was replaced by Mary Dowling's in 2017. Now, a team of young owners who all met while working together in Islip has come together to bring a new pub, The Harp & Hound, back to that original location at 528 Main St.

Kyra Meehan-Comisky is the grandaughter of the namesake Lily Flanagan. She told Patch that she and her fellow owners Matt Venturini, Heather Hemberger and Nick Jimenez chose the spot because of their deep connection to the place.

"All four of us have roots in the place—me met our spouses here, we worked here, our spouses worked here. It was where we spent our weekends, our stomping grounds, and where we started our careers."

Meehan-Comiskey grew up in Ireland and spent holidays at the Islip pub, where she met her husband. Jimenez is the classically trained chef who will cook at The Harp & Hound. Hemberger and Venturini are both East Islip natives who are part owners of Flanagan's in Lake Ronkonkoma.

Meehan-Comiskey says they are hoping to open next Wednesday or Thursday. The pub will be a "trendy Irish pub with upscale and eclectic pub food in a casual dining setting."

The team is happy to be back where their careers all began.

"We are so excited to be home in Islip again. We hope to provide a second home to all our surrounding areas friends and family."