About Us

Philip McWilliams Senior

If you get over the significant stumbling block that is Philip’s half Northern Ireland-half Wicklow accent, you might be able to hold a conversation with him for longer than, oh say,  five minutes. Philip took over the Bayview Hotel (or the “Stra” as its commonly known) in 1998 and ran a good shop that had an ecletic mix of young and old. Live music and the “Mugs Games” for the Monday Club were just two main stays of Philip’s tenure in the Bayview. He was also the man that thought it would be a good idea to put barmen Leo Newsome, James O’Neill, Ray Brown and himself semi-naked on stage during a Singing Pubs night at the Regatta. Later, he would fool another generation of Barmen that it would be a good idea to dress up as women and dance on a bar. He can often be heard saying “sure I’ve been up since half seven” and “Get out, you’re barred”, but apart from that he’s an alright chap. And he’s looking alright for a 65 year old. Give him a shout if you need anything.

Philip McWilliams Junior

Junior / PJ / Philly has been in the pub trade since Philip Senior thought he looked old enough to work without the Gardai knocking the door and arresting him for Child labour. He was ten, bless. For a awhile, people called the Stra Little Taiwan due to forcing the child to work, but Senior always claimed that his young workforce was “nothing like the sweat shops in Taiwan – they make really good clothes. He’s useless.” That soon changed and Philip has worked in establishments as diverse as Ta Se’s to, well, as posh as Marriott Hotel.  In recent times, he’s had two monthly jaunts to Thailand with his good mate Jonny Rowan. They keep going back for the scenery, or so they say. Philip will be balancing his work with finishing his studies in NCI Dublin but will always be around to help if you need anything.