The Pubs of Louth

Utilising the river to transport goods to and from the region via paddle steamer, the village of Louth became a thriving river port. Arguably a better location than the upstream, and more established port of Bourke due to some major navigational obstacles between Bourke and Louth, and with subsequent connections to the mineral-rich Cobar region, the township conceived by Irishman Thomas (T.A) Mathews thrived, and therefore so did the hotels in the town.

The first was called the Dan O’Connell and was established in 1865. When, after lobbying for years, Louth was granted a Post Office in 1869, it was in a back-room of this pub as recalled by the Western Herald in 1966 in an article on the history of the Louth post office:

“…reports showed that the post office was conducted in a room away from the business part of the inn which was known as the Dan O’Connell Hotel…”

Western Herald – 1966

The Dan O’Connell appears to have become the Royal Hotel, supported by this mention during the great flood of 1890 in the Barrier Miner on the 25th April 1890, which links the two premises on a single high piece of land:

“LOUTH UNDER WATER; The embankment gave way yesterday and the town is under water. The post-office and Royal Hotel are the only buildings above water…”

Barrier Miner – 25th April 1890

While by 1894 three hotels are reported in the Sydney Mail:

“…upon this spot is the township of Louth. It has three hotels. The principal one is the Royal. Kept by Robert Williams. It is exceedingly well arranged. There is only one store…”

Sydney Mail – 1894

The current hotel at Louth is the site of the Royal Hotel which was destroyed by fire twice. Once in 1885 and again in 1956, renamed Shindy’s Inn when it was rebuilt the second time.

Onetime publican and host Patsy Duncan (daughter of ‘Shindy’ himself) provided vivd recollections of the Royal Hotel;

The Royal was a lovely old building, made from red cedar timber, which ran vertically. There was a large bar with cellar underneath, 6 guests’ rooms, two parlours, a dining room .kitchen, front gauzed verandah sleepout, and quarters for the publican and family. It had a permanent cook and house maid. There was a second story with a dumb waiter in it, which housed itinerant workers, at the back of the building.

Patsy Duncan