Mayor Pulls Europa's 40th Birthday Pint

Belfast's once infamous Europa Hotel turns 40-years-old this year with many memories of the 'front-line' hotel being recalled.

For the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Pat Convery, the birthday celebrations have been the ideal opportunity to revisit an old haunt, catch up with friends from the past and relive golden memories.

Cllr Convery worked as a barman in the landmark hotel's Playbill Bar from 1981-1984 along with Paddy McAnearney.

Paddy is still working in what has become The Piano Bar and the Lord Mayor and Paddy exchanged places (pictured) to see if Cllr Convery could still remember how to pull a decent pint before popping some champagne.

Head Concierge Martin Mulholland (who has completed almost 30 years of service) was also there to swap stories.

Owners, Hastings Hotels is to mark the 40th year of the Europa Hotel in several ways, recalling all those visiting the hotel, including some of the biggest names in politics, film, music and journalism.

A specially commissioned TV programme is also at an advanced stage - 'Someone in the City is 40' - will feature the likes of former Penthouse Poppets.

Having opened in July 1971 at the height of NI's devastating Troubles, it has had a rich and colourful history.

Once dubbed the world's most bombed hotel, it was equally famous for the Penthouse nightclub, the Whip and Saddle Bar, and the Emerald Suite as the 1990s nightclub, Paradise Lost.

See: Europa Birthday Celebrations For TV

(KMcA)