The Unbelievable History of This Iconic Maine Irish Pub

Considering the number of amazing restaurants that our state has, it should not be a big surprise that Maine has become a 'foodie' state.

While many of the more notable restaurants are relatively new, some of the better known restaurants have been around for decades, in one form or another.

That is the case with Finn's Irish Public House in Ellsworth.

The History of Finn's Irish Pub in Ellsworth, Maine

Many people would say that the really interesting part of this restaurant's story is deep in the establishment's bones.  And, by that, we mean the dining car that the restaurant is built around.

A recent Facebook post from the restaurant explains that the heart of Finn's is a 1932 Jerry O’Mahony dining car, a piece of pure Americana.

Before it ever rolled into Ellsworth, it served up meals in Augusta back in the 1930s, then later in Northport during the 1950s as the Pineland Diner.

In 1982, Michael and Kate Welch brought it north to Ellsworth and called it Michael’s Pineland Diner.  Years later, Victoria Smallidge took over and gave it a bold new twist, trading in comfort food like meatloaf for filet mignon and even adding a full wine list.

About ten years after that, the ownership changed again. Maidee Chang and her partners built a full structure around the old dining car and gave it a new name, Maidee’s. It became a lively downtown staple that locals loved.

For a short time, the restaurant was known as Calypso

Since 2009, the space has been the home to Finn’s Irish Public House.

Check out the menu for Finn's and get more details from the restaurant's website.