Barry O’Donovan, Kilkenny House to be Honored

Congressman Leonard Lance (NJ-07) on Monday, May 14 will hold a special ceremony to honor Cranford resident Barry O’Donovan, the owner of Kilkenny House Restaurant and Pub.

Earlier this year, the Seventh District lawmaker nominated the Kilkenny House and its owner, Mr. Barry O’Donovan, to receive the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2012 Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery because of Mr. O’Donovan’s efforts following Hurricane Irene. Later this month, the SBA is set to formally present Mr. O’Donovan with the award.

According to the SBA, Phoenix awards are given to individuals (business owners, volunteers and public officials) whose efforts and contributions have enabled their businesses or communities to recover successfully from a disaster.

Lance’s ceremony begins at 11 a.m., Monday, May 14, 2012 at Kilkenny House Restaurant and Pub located at 112 South Avenue East in Cranford. 

The Seventh District lawmaker noted that in August 2011, Hurricane Irene devastated the Kilkenny House along with the community of Cranford.  The Kilkenny House experienced more than 20 feet of water that engulfed the entire basement, refrigerators, freezers, computers and the entire electrical system.  On the main floor, flood waters warped the hardwood floors and woodwork.  Yet today the restaurant is open for business after months of dedicated recovery efforts.