Willie Gregg: Barman and Humanitarian
Meet Willie Gregg…
I first wrote about Willie Gregg in the blog post ‘A Trip To Northern Ireland’. I called him one of the great characters I have seen in my life. Willie is the barman at the Harbor Bar in Portrush, Ireland. Three months before the 2019 Open Championship I was in the Harbor Bar with my three sons. With the tournament now in the history books I wanted to know what the experience was like for Willie Gregg. I waited for a month and gave him a call. What I learned is that he is much more than a barman.
Born in Portrush, the 62 year old comes from a family of fishermen. He left home at 17 to work in Saudi Arabia, returning to run a hotel in the 80’s. With the troubles in Northern Ireland the hotel business was not the best and he moved into running bingo games across Northern Ireland.
It was during this time the Asian tsunami hit Thailand devastating a large area of the country. “I watched on TV as I saw boats destroyed I remembered from past holidays when I was there. I made good friends. I knew in seconds I was going to help with this disaster.” In January of 2005 he formed ‘Willie’s Orphan Fund’ to help educate kids who lost their parents in the tsunami. He now also sponsors children in the slums of Bangkok.
Originally believing he would work on the project for a year, his commitment has now reached more than fifteen years. “I don’t know what would have happened to these kids,” he said. “Hundreds of children now have a life.” After 13 years he has raised over $1,000,000 mostly through small fund raisers and contribution jars distributed around Portrush. You can watch a video of his work at www.williesorphanfund.com. He has been recognized by several organizations for the humanitarian work.
Willie’s employment in the bingo world ended abruptly when carrying bingo money, he was robbed. The experience convinced him to get out of the business. It was 2007. Friends of his who owned the Harbor Bar complex, had been pursuing him go to work for them. ‘When are you coming to work?’ they asked shortly after the theft.
“I’ll start in two weeks.” Willie became the barman at the Harbor Bar.
Willie had come full circle in the hospitality business. “My first job at age seven was washing Guinness bottles.”
With his magnetic personality, Willie is perfectly suited for the job at the Harbor Bar. “I work with my heart and not the till,” he told me. “I treat people like I would like to be treated.” Willie walks the talk. “When I go to work I am going on stage. I meet fantastic people like the ‘Game of Thrones’ actors (filmed near Portrush), many great athletes and world class golfers.”
Willie has only one speed, full speed. He carries on several conversations around the bar, each one personal and caring. He carries on a tutorial about Guinness or Bushmills Irish Whiskey, distilled just outside Portrush.
‘Facts’ flow like water out of a hose. He’s fun and entertaining.
The Protestant - Catholic conflict is just below the surface. “We went through fifty years of hell. Now we have figured out all we have left is hospitality. It would not take a lot to upset it. People are very slow to change.”
“However, golf is a fantastic jelling agent. We’re just a wee area but the town was totally refurbished for The Open. The town had to make some accommodations. Some were opposed, but you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.”
“It’s unreal what has happened from The Open. Portrush is now a destination. The traffic is up five gears,” he said. “We have the Ryder Cup, (at Adair Manor in 2026 in the west of Ireland), the Irish Open will be back and The Open will be back to Portrush in a decade. We will reap the benefits of The Open for two decades. There are new hotels and B & Bs.
Willie’s enthusiasm for his town is boundless. “We’re a destination for the world golf fraternity. I can’t hide my pride.”
I watched on television as a camera mounted on top of a nearby building panned the area in front of the Harbor Bar. The building containing the Harbor Bar has six restaurants. “There were as many people outside as inside,” Willie said. “We had 200 staff. The restaurants were full from noon until 10:00 PM. We sold as much Guinness in that week as we normally sell in a month. It was a carnival feeling.”
The ‘L’ shaped patron area of the bar has seating for fewer than ten customers. Pictures of Willie and customers, some famous and not so famous, adorn the walls. “The bar is the same space as a parking stall, but then you can’t open the car door,” Willie chuckled. “I reserve a seat for Darren Clarke and GMac (Graham McDowell).” Both men are from Portrush. Darren won the Open and McDowell won the US Open. “Darren was in every day all week. GMac is such a great guy. But you know, they’re just golfers, they didn’t cure cancer. I can’t wait for the day Darren walks through the door with the Senior Open Trophy.”
The Open was a great week for Willie. “The highlight was having lunch with Gary Player. At 83, a complete gentleman. The world’s top 20 golfers came through the door. Brooks Koepka and his caddie Rick Elliott, who is from Portrush, were in every day.”
“Shane Lowry, the winner of The Open, went back south to celebrate with his family and friends and didn’t come in, but he’ll be up. He’s such a lovely man.”
A trip to Portrush, Ireland to play golf and sip a Guinness in the Harbor Bar should be on everybody’s list of places to see. “Our doors are open,” said Willie, the greatest cheerleader Portrush has.
“I’m the proudest barman in the world,” Willie said as our conversation concluded. Willie Gregg is a wonderful humanitarian, top barman and all around good person. I am fortunate to know Willie Gregg. I look forward to another trip to see him, play the courses in Northern Ireland and taste a Guinness in A Life In Golf.
