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When Irish eyes are crying ...

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The darkening of the Mel Flanagan storefront is a bitter blow for Rochester's downtown. (Rochester Voice photo)

It was lines from Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" that first came to mind when I saw Mel Flanagan's had closed.

"Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got til its gone."

After closing in January to take a break, it was announced on the restaurant's Facebook page last month that they were closing for good due to health reasons. A sad day for Rochester.

Mel Flanagan's had an enormous visual impact on Rochester's downtown anchoring the northern end of the commercial district with its strong vibrant presence next to the courthouse.

Culturally, it not only offered a wee bit of the old country to many Irish-Americans, but it also held music nights where musicians gathered to play informally with friends; and writers' nights where writers from around the Seacoast met up to share their works.

And sometimes we journalists are wont to skulk into an Irish pub, not only to have a pint of Guinness on company time, but also to do a little St. Patrick's Day story to brighten the front (front page) on this most glorious of holidays, the wearing o' the green. Erin go bragh, and such.

The former Lebanon Voice newspaper did just that on March 17, 2015, as we watched Mel Flanagan co-owner Walter Belville serve up a couple of Guinness to an Acton, Maine, couple, celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Rochester.

Oftentimes in the newspaper biz, we editors adhere to the notion that once you do a feature story on someone or something, you can't do the same story for at least three years.

Well, three years were up this year, so we went down to see if we could do a big spread on Mel Flanagan's for today.

I can tell you that when I saw the "For Sale" sign it was a kick in the stomach.

Mel Flanagan's was always so vibrant, so full of life and such a sturdy business, I guess we just figured it'd go on forever.

The Irish pub and eatery opened on Aug. 8, 2008, and provided Rochester with a warm, convivial atmosphere as only an Irish pub can do.

We occasioned in several times over the years, and while we certainly weren't regulars, we appreciated it being there and are deeply saddened at is closing.

But we Irish are a sturdy breed. So we'll leave it at that. And later today we'll raise a glass to yer health, give a nod to your wonderful pub and shoulder on as always. Erin Go Brah!

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