A bar inspired by revolutionary Irish women to open in New York

Bad Biddies founded by two Irish women will tell the story of Ireland through female heroes.

Colgan, a former New York Rose of Tralee is a well known name in New York’s Irish-American community.

Through her work across Irish arts and culture, fundraising, and community activism, she is known for amplifying the voices of the global Irish diaspora.

Gráinne O’Neill is Director of Marketing and Strategy at The Dead Rabbit Group. The owners behind the Dead Rabbit in New York, voted number one the World's Best 50 Bars, are partners in Bad Biddies.

Colgan said a conversation with The Dead Rabbit owner Jack McGarry sparked the idea between the two women.

"We felt like there were too many Irish bars named after men and we wanted to do something different," she told JOE.

"We want women to identify with it and feel like they have a home in New York.

"We want to have is a really strong all day offering. So whether you're having a quick coffee, with a cafe vibe during the day and then in the afternoon the vibe will switch to a bar with great cocktails and a more shareable menu.

"A food offering inspired by home and we're in touch with some great Irish female chefs to bring over."

“Bridget”, or “Biddy”, was a negative label given to Irish immigrant women in the United States during the 19th century, but the two women wanted to take back the name.

Colgan added because she doesn't drink alcohol, it was key for her to make the space welcoming for all kinds of events.

"Whether it's an interview, some stand-up comedy, there's space there to do it, and so that's really important to us. A community space as well as a business we care about," she added.

Colgan said that amid a tense time for immigrants in the US, the women wanted to found a place that celebrates heroic Irish women, from Countess Markievicz and Sinead O'Connor to Catherine Connolly.

Track lists are to include The Cranberries and CMAT and live music from Irish bands.

"We want to showcase what a modern Ireland looks like, and how we were treated as immigrants in America in the past, we're still in a very fragile place," she said.

"We have the opportunity to educate people, while promoting Irish women and having a space to continue telling the story and almost redefining how we look on a global stage.

"I'm very conscious that like all the opportunities I've had in New York are because of the great work that has been done by the Irish women before me."

Bad Biddies featured at the Female Founders Bar at Tales of the Cocktail, the world's premiere cocktail festival in New Orleans over the weekend. The group served cocktails made with only female founders, such as Muff Liqour, Valentia island Vermouth and Foxes Bow Irish Whiskey.