Passing gas to beer taps, three pilots do it all

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Randy LeMay
  • 916th Air Refueling Wing
GOLDSBORO, N.C. --  For a taste of real Irish cuisine and drinks, gather family, friends and co-workers alike and take a short trip to a small corner of Ireland located in eastern North Carolina.

Located in downtown Goldsboro, the Flying Shamrock is an Irish pub that was many years in the making.

Three members of the 77th Aerial Refueling Squadron, Lt. Col. Matt Young, Lt. Col. Crawford Moore, Maj. Wayne Turner and his parents began work on the concept of a pub with no restaurant or bar experience.

"I've here for 12 years and downtown has changed a lot," said Maj. Turner. "Finding this building was the key."

Major Turner stated the soon to be 100-year-old building had so much character that they fell in love with it and its potential. The International Odd Fellows, owners of the building, were planning to be a part of a 100-year celebration by the Flying Shamrock.

"We started in December and finally received approval from the city in the first week of January," added Major Turner. "I was putting in 60 to 70 hours a week above my time at the 77th, but things have gone really well and I hope it continues."

"Being with a flying squadron, I knew that I wanted the name to include that, but I didn't want it to be just a military theme bar," said Major Turner. "We wanted everyone to feel welcome and to enjoy themselves here."

Our general manager, Gerry Snyder, a retired boom chief from the 77th ARS, is here everyday working and he is backbone of the Flying Shamrock, said Major Turner.

There were so many people from work stopping and helping work many, many hours. Some of those same people are now some of regular customers.

We have a great kitchen manager who is very positive about our food and a great staff, said Major Turner. We have been able to pick and choose when it involves the staff.

The plan is to have these Irish specialty dishes along with imported micro brewed beer that you could not get anywhere else in the Goldsboro. Right now, we have an Irish special on Sunday, but we envision a special for every day of the week.

"The feedback from the local community, the downtown folks, and the city has been phenomenal," said Major Turner.

After stating that they have only been opened for six weeks, they already have hopes to expand in about six months.

"We are hoping to double our size and expand to the space next to us," said Major Turner. "There will be an entire wall with dartboards and plenty of pool tables."