For the years I’ve been writing our monthly newsletters, I’ve tried to capture the events of the month and the people that make them unique to us. When you think about it, those little monthly breaks give us something to look forward to, almost like the dessert after a good meal. While each month’s special days offer something unique, aside from the holidays, I don’t know of a day that brings the euphoric joy and celebration that St. Patrick’s Day offers. It doesn’t matter what race, religion, or beliefs you hold; everyone seems to want to be Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, and who better to help you celebrate than Kevin Doyle and his son Max?
Ireland is a relatively small country that exemplifies a “can do” spirit and friendly and welcoming charm. This same spirit separates Kevin and Max’s Celtic Ray, which has a long winding history. Initially built in 1924 by the Chadwick Brothers, it was constructed as an office and storage facility featuring a gas station on its corner. Early tenants included Earl Farr, who became attorney for the City of Punta Gorda, and D.S. Smoak, who eventually became one of Punta Gorda’s mayors. Later on, the building was converted into a restaurant/bar called the Trailer Bar, which existed through the 50s and 70s. It then transitioned to the Sandwich Cove and, eventually, the Parrothead Café before Kevin Doyle purchased it in 1997. With its heyday well passed, it became a rundown establishment, but Doyle saw an opportunity to convert it into an Irish pub.
It hasn’t been all smooth sailing since the purchase back in 1997, as Kevin lost the building for a while during the housing crises and incurred the devastating effects of hurricanes and flooding in the downtown area. He said in 2004, after Hurricane Charley destroyed the pub, they nearly lost it as they didn’t have insurance. Somehow, throughout these setbacks, his Irish spirit prevailed as he said, “We never give up, and we never regret anything.” Those who saw the setbacks Kevin and Max endured over the years may have thought it was just the “Luck of the Irish” that got them through. Still, they would have been just as wrong as those who attributed the success of the early Irish miners during the California Gold Rush in the 1800s to luck when expectations of their success in finding gold were very low. Instead of commending their resourcefulness, the Americans who witnessed any success of the Irish miners had attributed their success to pure luck.
Those who don’t know the history the Doyle’s have had with the Celtic Ray may think they were just at the right place at the right time. How wrong they would be. I’ve often wondered how they get ten pounds of sand in a five-pound bag. From the small corner location, Kevin and Max have created a fantastic Dublin-like pub featuring rooftop dining, a large outdoor beer garden, and a historic indoor bar and dining area. Last year, they had 2,000 revelers attend their St. Patrick’s Day celebration, and this year, they are adding two beer trucks and mobile liquor bars in addition to their massive in-house bars. Of course, what drink would be complete without the traditional Irish menu of Fish & Chips, Guinness Stew, Bangers, and, of course, Corned Beef and Cabbage? However, as impressive as their vision and success story have become, Kevin and Max, have even greater ambitions as they are pursuing a goal of building a six-story, 65-room boutique hotel and ground-floor English pub and brewery where patrons can view the brewing process. While the Celtic Ray has treated their customers to Kevin’s rich Irish ancestry and family recipes, he says it is his upbringing in Manchester, England, that he credits for the popularity of their signature fish and chips dish. While Kevin is Irish, Max’s mom is English, which is the inspiration for their new venture that will showcase the English side of their ancestry and the dishes specific to that culture. Max has been quoted that the name of this new English Pub will be “Slug and Whippet,” a bit of a nod to the “tortoise and the hare…slow and fast.” He continued by saying the literacy rate in England centuries ago wasn’t very high, and some pubs hung signs with images instead of words. Who knows if that bit of folklore won’t be prominently displayed when they finally break ground and their vision comes to fruition?
I’ve often wondered about the meaning behind the name Celtic Ray each time I pass by, and I came across one definition that describes it as “Unity.” When I looked at what Kevin and Max had created, I realized it was much more than a dream; it was a lifelong experience they wanted to share with friends.
Wishing you a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day!
-Gary Cardillo
*Image courtesy of Gulfshore Business Article 12/5/23
While most people would like to talk about themselves, Gary and Gail have always put their clients first, and their diverse backgrounds have provided their clients an unparalleled level of service and knowledge throughout the past years.