Funny what you spot sometimes when you go for a walk! I was walking up Grosvenor Road last week on my way to the garage to pick the car up when I noticed this brick in the wall. Now that’s an old name that I’m rather hoping will stir a few memories! Hope it does 🙂
A ‘famous steak house’ springs to mind…!
Yes Finnegans steak house was on the corner of Grosvenor Road and Albert Road. We enjoyed many a meal in there. I also knew the lady who lived in the flat above in the 50s and 60s.
Ultimate steak house and drinking place of ill repute,haha!!
Famed for some great ‘lock-ins’.
They had a horse and carriage that would take you to and from the restaurant.The horse,also called Finnigan dragged me to my first wedding in 1982,hah!
Very well known local steak house – and Dot who played the piano there for many years is still playing the piano at Abbeyfield in Hoyle Road.
LOL! You ask if anyone remembers Finnieland! Alongside the railway, almost the whole length of Grosvenor Road (it went very narrow at the Alderley Road end) there is a piece of land that was “developed” by Frank sheridan as an outdoor theme park. He had various structures and sculptures (was Brian Burgess, the sculptor involved?) and a miniature railway which also used to go on the local roads. The Finnieland brick wall went along Grosvenor Road as far as No 1 Grosvenor Road and some neighbours said it was a mess but it was quite characterful, being made of old bricks and having niches set in to the wall with little concrete sculptures set in to them.
For developing that land alongside Grosvenor Road there have been several planning submissions – Finnieland was one that was passed and lasted not that long although the wall lasted until the last planning permission was granted to G.B. Builders for new flats. The neighbours fought the plans for every single development – the last one being the flats, preferring empty land with trees for wildlife – there were owls, foxes, hedgehogs and we had also seen bats in the vicinity – but the plans were passed and the flats are built. The flats are very pleasant and well maintained and give a far better environment – I used to walk my dog around the block sometimes at night and it was in the dark! Now the flats are here the road is far better lit. Sadly now though, no dog!
Ah yes I remember Finnigans. I only recall going there once. It was Monday 9 December 1974. I took a girl there who I had been talking to on the phone for about a year. I was working at Port Sunlight – she was working at Lever Brothers’ head office down in Kingston. She came up to Port Sunlight on business that day. We had never met before.
We were married on 4 October 1975. We live in Windsor and we’re looking forward to our 36th wedding anniversary.
I used to work in Finnigans….got paid next to nothing but had a laugh. You have to go miles for a decent steak now, wish this place was still open!
I went to Finigans years ago, with and on reccomendation of a friend who was a chef in Liverpool. I don’t remember the date but I do remember the steak. They had names according to size, I had a Hagar the Horrible which hung over the sides of the plate. Took some eatiing and lots of wine to wash it down but it was good. None of this rib eye rubbish were foisted off with today. Another thing I remember is that you went in through the corner of the kitchen, probably wouldn’t be allowed nowadays but a restaurant not afraid of it’s customers seeing its kitchen must be good. Ah those were the days, no TV chefs influence and normal food on each menu.
What happened to Frank and Linda ..? We had some of the best nights at finnigans ..
I remember eating at Finnigans. You entered through the kitchen where there was often an alsation !
Steaks were good with baked potato and the place had a nice, informal atmosphere. It was obviously well known as I remember meeting a couple there who had come all the way from Ellesmere Port.
Message to Stan ohora – are you brother to Geoff (from Moreton) sons of Pam & Joe. If so please contact your cousin in South Africa – woodkeith918@gmail.com.
Great comments my dad would be proud to hear them . Late night drinkers and me 15 years old doing the door with my dad .1974 so such thing as door men in those days !!