Irish Mill Spotlight
(From the January-March, 2002 Newsletter)
Located
a short distance from where Route 60 joins Route 83 is a quaint little cottage
called the Irish Mill – a local landmark which has had quite a bit of
history over the years. Originally built in 1930, it was first called the
Dutch Mill by its sometimes cantankerous, crotchety owner Henry Campbell.
John and Angie Burns purchased it from Mr. Campbell in 1972, and kept it for
20 years, at which time it was sold to Domnick and Linda Patterson, the
current owners. It was under the Burns’ regime that the name was changed
to the Irish Mill – a name that the Pattersons have maintained. As Domnick
told the Burns’, he would keep the general theme that they had introduced.
The Pattersons, however, have made some marked changes and improvements to
the premises – i.e., a full-time menu, featuring a splendid fish fry
on Wednesday and Fridays; a fully paved parking lot with added spaces; a freshly
painted building, readily visible from the busy roadway; a spiffy patio for
outdoor drinking and dining; and the removal of some unsightly, over-grown
bushes and small trees around the front entrance. (The fish fry, in this writer’s
mind, is one of the best kept secrets in Lake County). Try it sometime. More
often than not, I have seen either Dom or Linda heading for the kitchen to
make a quick sandwich for a hungry patron late in the evening. Menu prices
are extremely reasonable, with most items hovering around the $6-$7 figure
(And, I might add, extremely plentiful portions). Many imported beers are
available – Guinness, Harp, Bass Ale, Bottingers – as well as
the hard stuff (Bushmills, Jamesons and Tullamore Dew). Yes, the usual domestic
bottles and tap beers are also copious – the end result meaning something
for everyone. Due to the heavy transient traffic of the bar (and the fact
that sit-down space at tables is somewhat limited), they don’t take
credit cards, but they do accept long green (and there is a cash machine on
the premises). Music is abundant – live music on Tuesdays, Fridays and
Saturdays, in addition to a long-running open stage every Thursday. And if
that isn’t enough, a well-stocked jukebox should fill your needs, featuring
everything from traditional Irish to the tunes of the 80s and 90s. Dom and
Linda would love to see you, so stop by soon. As it reads on the back of the
menu, “You know you’re always welcome!” And you are. Oh,
yes, I forgot to mention the dart boards. As long as leagues are not occupying
them, the dart boards are open on a first come, first served basis. Practice
up a bit, and see if you can’t challenge the “boss” or Linda
to a quick game, if they’re not too busy behind the bar. So, go ahead,
stop by on your free time sometime soon!
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