Mark Begg... Innkeeper & Entrepreneur

Mark Begg... Innkeeper and Entrepreneur. The Story of Mark Begg. , Sean's Bar was formally known as "The Three Blackamoor Heads" and undoubtedly the most famous proprietor of the pub was Mark Begg who held the Inn in 1736. Mr Begg inaugurated the first stage coach service from Athlone to Dublin. The first stagecoach service began on Monday 8th November 1736. It was reported that he operated "a right good service" from "The Three Blackamor Heads" to Capel Street, setting out each Monday and returning on Thursday from Dublin. Each passenger paid 10s and 10d with additional charges of a penny for every extra pound of baggage., Mark Begg and his wife Margaret are buried in the Abbey Graveyard where their tombstone is both large and ornate., During the term of Mark Begg's proprietorship, The Three B[la]ckamoor Heads became a well established Inn. It was here that all gatherings of the military and elite of the town were held. It was here too that victories were celebrated. In a newspaper account dated 5th July 1743, we read: "We hear from Athlone that on Sunday last after they received the news of his majesty's glorious victory in Germany, the Hon. Lieutenant Thomas Darby, who commands a troop of [d]ragoons in that Corporation marched his troops into the streets about 2 o'clock at night, at which time the post came in, and fired three volleys which were answered by the military of the Corporation, the town was immediately illuminated and bonfires erected in several parts of the town but it was too late for the bells to be rung and to drink the health requisite upon the occasion... the next day.. several of the toasts were drunk by the Corporation in general, all of whom assembled together at The Three Blackamoor on the occasion". Mark Begg was succeeded by his widow Margaret and his son James