Just desserts expensive for Robert Emmets

The Robert Emmets of the world now have a clubhouse.

As my wild sister and even wilder nieces careened through New York City last week (Regis, the “Today” show, Tavern on the Green) they spotted a bar at 694 8th Avenue named Robert Emmett’s. So what if they misspelled it?

For those ignorant of Irish history, Bold Robert Emmet, only 25, led a typically ill-fated rebellion in Dublin in 1803. Before he reached Dublin Castle he was captured by the evil Major Sirr at Harold’s Cross. He was convicted of treason and, if memory serves, was hung, then quartered, then beheaded. The murdering English oppressors wanted to make sure our boy was dead, dead, dead.

Emmet is not so remembered for his terrible battle loss, because Ireland had more than its share of those. He was remembered instead for his stirring words from the dock upon his conviction. Ireland loves a good martyr as much as a frosty glass.

“Let no man write my epitaph. When my country takes her place among the nations of the earth, then and not until then let my epitaph be written,” Emmet told the court.

If you are an Irish martyr you have to have a song.

Emmet’s chorus is:

Bold Robert Emmet, the darling of Ireland.

Bold Robert Emmet will die with a smile.

Farewell companions, both loyal and daring.

I’ll lay down my life for the Emerald Isle.

Thomas Moore said Emmet “combined in the greatest degree, pure moral worth with intellectual power.” Sounds just like me.

As a lad in West Roxbury, there were so many Bobs, Robbies, Roberts and Bobbys that I became known as “Robert Emmet.” But I had no idea of the significance of my name until I finally made the trip “home” to Ireland at age 40. The Irish relatives sat up a little straighter to meet a “Yank” named Emmet. It’s the Irish equivalent of George Washington. Emmet has his own square and statue in Dublin.

Now, of course I have his picture hanging up in my house. Now we have our own bar.

The New York bar and restaurant opened in November of 1999, according to owner Don Higgins. “I named it Robert Emmett’s because he was a major figure in Irish history but he never got much credit for it,” Higgins said. He claims the spelling with two “Ts” is historically correct.

There is a bit of an Emmet revival going on in Ireland, with a major celebration planned for 2003, which will be the 200th anniversary of Emmet’s execution.

Higgins never knew there were so many Robert Emmets (or Emmetts) in the world until he opened the bar. “There is one or two in here every week. There are a lot more of them than I thought. They don’t get any bargains, though. We make them buy the bar a round. It’s only fitting if they are drinking in a place named after them,” Higgins said.

The bar is also the closest watering hole to the theater where “The Producers” is playing to record crowds, so business is booming, Higgins said.

The menu includes a $9 Robert Emmet Citrus Cocktail with orange and grapefruit cocktail with yogurt and chive dressing and a $16 Robert Emmet Sandwich with smoked turkey, prosciutto, shrimp, fresh mozzarella cheese.

I don’t know about buying a round, though. How many people do you suppose the place holds? If the sandwiches are $16, what do you suppose a round of drinks would be?

Send complaints and compliments to Emmet Meara at emmetmeara@msn.com