IN Spirit Award

ABOUT THE AWARD

Each year, Ireland Network Chicago presents the IN Spirit Award to an individual or organization whose contributions have significantly strengthened the Irish community in Chicago. This honor reflects sustained commitment, leadership, and service that embody the Network’s mission of fostering connection, culture, and community for the Irish in Chicago.

Ireland Network Chicago is proud to announce that VAUGHAN HOSPITALITY GROUP has been selected as the 2026 IN SPIRIT AWARD HONOREE, recognizing nearly four decades of extraordinary leadership, service, and cultural impact within the Chicago Irish community

Vaughan Hospitality Group

Vaughan Hospitality Group was founded in 1987 by Dan Joe and Bina Vaughan when they opened Vaughan’s Pub on Milwaukee Avenue on Chicago’s Northwest Side as new immigrants from Ireland.

Before leaving Ireland, they operated the Hi-Land Ballroom, a bar and nightclub, as well as a farm in Newmarket, County Cork. The recession of the 1980s was difficult for their businesses, and like many others, they decided to pack up and emigrate. What made their journey unique was that they did so in their 50s, bringing seven of their nine children, ranging in age from 9 to 26.

Vaughan’s Pub was a true family affair. The children were expected to help, and in the bar business, weekends and St. Patrick’s Day take on an entirely different meaning. The pub became a special place, filled with young Irish emigrants who, in the pre-cell-phone era, relied on it to stay connected, gather with friends, and even use it as their “bank” to cash paychecks. Everyone in the pub was treated like family!

Dan Joe and Bina Vaughan taught their family the importance of never giving up, working hard, taking care of each other, their staff, and their customers, and being active members of the Irish community.

In 1998, Eamonn and Kevin Vaughan took over the business and, together with Kevin’s wife, Kristan, grew it into multiple locations with a team of over 300 people. Many of the team are Irish, including their sisters Anne and Diana, who have been involved since the very beginning. Sadly, Eamonn passed away in 2023.

Today, Vaughan Hospitality Group operates six locations: Vaughan’s Pub on the Northwest Side (1987), Vaughan’s Pub in Lakeview (1996), Corcoran’s Grill and Pub (2000), Emerald Loop Bar & Grill (2006), Chicago Brewhouse on the Riverwalk (2018), and Moon Star Kitchen and Bar (2025). Gone but not forgotten are Mystic Celt (2002–2015), Square Celt (2014–2022), and Monty Gaels (2013–2020). Collectively, these nine locations represent a combined 150 years of operation! The formula for success is simple: great Irish hospitality, a great team, excellent products, and of course, a great pint.

Vaughan Hospitality Group is enormously proud of its role in keeping the Irish pub scene and Irish culture strong in Chicago. Irish pubs have long served as hubs for informal networking among Irish immigrants, helped pass Irish culture and traditions between generations, and made many others want to be Irish as well. There is also a long-standing tradition of rolling out a big “welcome mat” for visitors from Ireland.

Vaughan Hospitality Group has a long tradition of taking care of its team and supporting the wider community. The group supports sports clubs, charitable benefits, the Irish Fellowship Club, the YIFC, Ireland Network, the Irish American Partnership, and St. Patrick’s Fathers. Over the past 25 years, Vaughan Hospitality Group has employed hundreds of J-1 visa students, creating lifelong memories and strengthening the bond between Ireland and Chicago.

Eamonn was very active in the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago and proudly served as Chairman of the 2015 Christmas Luncheon.

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Vaughan Hospitality Group is also deeply involved in the local communities where it operates, supporting youth sports organizations and local chambers of commerce. Kristan currently serves on the board and as Treasurer of the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.

In addition, Vaughan Hospitality Group is active with the Illinois Restaurant Association. Kevin serves on the Executive Committee and previously served as Chairman of the Association in 2023.

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