Grace O’Malley’s is in a former bank in downtown Matthews. Photo courtesy

Mason Jar Group, the name behind 204 North, Tilt, and The Union, is expanding to Matthews. Grace O’Malley’s Irish Public House will open on Saturday, just in time for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The restaurant marks the first outside of Uptown and South End for Mason Jar Group.

“It’s really that community feel that drew us here,” says Celeste Kaplan, marketing director for  the restaurant group. “You go to any area and you feel like you’re providing a service or restaurant, what we’re doing is providing an authentic Irish experience. … Right now, Matthews is covered by a lot of craft beer groups, which do very well, but for your average guest who wants to come in for a Guinness, there’s not anything here yet.”

The restaurant, which will seat 96 inside and another 50 on multiple patio spaces, is in an old bank downtown. It will serve traditional Irish fare with a few American standards mixed in, ranging from Shepherd’s pie and corned beef and cabbage to a salmon entrée. We’re especially excited to try the corned beef poutine. See the full menu here.

The menu was developed by Franke Jones, currently in the kitchen at 204 North in Uptown, and the former kitchen manager at Ri Ra, Lionel Victorieni, who is now overseeing the kitchen at Grace O’Malley’s. On the beverage list, guests can expect Irish whiskeys and beers, as well as local craft beer and domestic beers.

General manager Stephen Galligan brings a true Irish perspective to the staff, having grown up in Dublin. He moved to the Charlotte area 15 years ago, and now lives with his family in Matthews. Galligan is responsible for the restaurant’s name, inspired by Irish lore in his hometown.

Grace O’Malley was a pirate and strong woman who, legend goes, after being turned down for a meal and shelter at a castle, kidnapped one of the children of the castle. The castle’s lord asked what she demanded for the return of his son, and she requested that an extra table setting always be left at the castle so hungry travelers would never again be turned down. This tradition lives on at Howth Castle, where Galligan was married.

The restaurant will open at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will bring drink specials and a D.J., and on Sunday, there will be activities for kids, bagpipes, and traditional Irish music to celebrate St. Patty’s Day. A grand opening celebration will take place on March 21.  —Kristen Wile