AMERICAN fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger surprised staff at Ireland’s oldest pub when he stopped by for a whiskey.
Employees at Sean’s Bar in Athlone, County Westmeath welcomed the 73-year-old on Monday, who had decided to pay a visit with his daughter.
Hilfiger, who founded his eponymous brand in 1985, treated himself to a bottle of the bar’s own whiskey and a branded t-shirt during his visit.
The pub holds the Guinness World Record for the oldest boozer in Ireland and has reportedly seen a few famous faces over the years.
The picture shows Hilfiger standing outside the blue-fronted boozer holding a bottle of whiskey.
Dressed in a pair of beige trousers, a v-neck sweater and shirt and a cap, Hilfiger grins at the camera.
He stands alongside his daughter Ally and barman Timmy Donovan, who has his arms around the pair.
The pub dates back to 900AD, and research is ongoing to try and designate it as the oldest pub in the world.
It has previously hosted comedian and DJ Phill Jupitus and stars of US drama Dallas, Larry Hagman and Linda Gray.
The snap was shared to social media on Monday with the caption: “When Tommy Hilfiger calls in for our whiskey, a chat and a t-shirt too.”
It has since received a host of likes and comments from social media users sharing their reactions.
One said: “Clearly a man of good taste.”
A second made a quip on Hilfiger’s brand colours: “Will you be introducing some red into your exterior colour scheme?”
Another added: “Slaínte.”
Speaking today, Declan Delaney, owner of Sean’s Bar, said: “Tommy Hilfiger decided to stop by having heard about the history of Ireland’s oldest pub.
“Timmy in Sean’s Bar gives all visitors a talk on the history behind the pub. We also tell the story behind the very origin of whiskey in the midlands of Ireland and Tommy had a huge interest in this history, which was a reason he stopped by for a chat with Timmy.
“Timmy found him to be a very nice, down to earth man and both Tommy and his daughter enjoyed their experience in Sean’s Bar.”
