Paddy Wagon set to celebrate 20th anniversary

Apr. 19—During a trip to Ireland in the early 2000s, Chuck Fields was struck with a "romantic notion."

It stuck with him.

After he returned to Kentucky, Fields presented an interesting idea to his friend, Greg Ferrell.

"I told him, 'Let's open a little pub. Just a hole in the wall. No food. Just sling beer. You know, a little place where you could sit around and plot revolution.'"

Revolutionary.

Indeed.

An Irish-style pub in the Bluegrass.

"I gave us two years, maybe three," Fields said. "I still am aghast that we are still here."

Two decades later, The Paddy Wagon is not only still around, but the pub has become an institution in downtown Richmond.

The pub will celebrate its 20th anniversary today. The day-long festivities are set to include nine musical artists across two stages, cornhole tournaments, traditional Irish food — like corn beef and cabbage — along with lots and lots of potent potables.

"I was 51 when we opened up. It's hard to believe. Where did the last 20 years go?" Field said.

An Ohio native, Fields served as a professor at several schools across the country (Sam Houston State, Appalachian State, and Saginaw State), teaching political science and other topics before arriving at Eastern Kentucky University.

He finally decided to give up academics to pursue his "romantic notion."

The Paddy Wagon's original location was in the basement of the Family Dog building on Water Street.

The pub moved to Main Street a few years later.

In the beginning, Fields was eager to authentically replicate the bars he visited while in the Emerald Isle. He quickly learned, however, that some things didn't really translate to America.

"Our first menu was just like an Irish pub — and, of course, no one would eat it," Fields said. "Now, only on St. Patrick's Day or other special occasions will we do Irish food. I tried, but it just didn't work."

Just as the pub was working its way into the fabric of the community, everything changed.

In April 2007, a fire caused by old, faulty wiring caused the building to be destroyed.

"I thought we were done," Fields said. "But, so many people wanted us to open back up."

The Paddy Wagon reopened less than a year later just steps away.

In 2020, though, another unexpected event almost brought the pub to the brink of extinction.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down most bars and restaurants in the state. and the timing could not have been worse for an Irish-style pub.

"They closed everything the day before St. Patrick's Day," Fields said.

The Paddy Wagon once again survived.

And continues to thrive.

Over the years, the pub has employed hundreds of EKU students. Fields says at least 26 of them have gone on to receive their degrees from the school.

"As an educator, that's pretty cool to me," Fields said.

During his frequent trips to Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom over the years, the Ohio native developed an intense interest in the politics, people, and culture of the region.

He felt at home.

And even tried to convince himself — perhaps — that he was reconnecting to his family's heritage.

"I always thought (I was Irish), like some many other Americans," Fields said with a laugh. "My father was a coal miner. So, I thought we were one of the 'Black Irish,' the Protestants who came over to America. But, no. I did a DNA test and I'm just three percent Irish."

Even if he isn't really Irish, there is a wee bit more of the blarney in the Bluegrass because of Fields and his business partners, friends, and supporters.

After two decades, the pub's owner still enjoys coming to work every day.

Even though he knows the days won't last forever.

"Three or four more years. If someone would come in and learn the business — like an apprentice — I might give it to them," Fields said.