28/08/2026
A little piece of history, back where it belongs🖤
At the beginning of the year, we received a very special letter from a kind gentleman called George, telling us the story of a painting that had once hung proudly in White’s Tavern for many decades.
The painting, depicting two monks cooking in a large copper pot, was sadly reported missing following the Tavern’s renovation in 1962. George’s late sister Olive and her husband, Dr John Best, had always admired the painting during their visits to White’s. When they discovered it was among the contents being sold at auction in 1962, they were delighted to purchase it and gave it pride of place in their family home in Ballynahinch, where it remained for many years.
After Olive and John passed away, their family decided that this little piece of Belfast history belonged back where it had started. They generously offered the painting as a gift to White’s Tavern, so that it could once again be enjoyed by our patrons. And now, after more than 60 years away, it’s finally back in the Tavern🙌🏼
The painting is a copy of the famous ‘The Tasting’ by Alessandro Sani, and we’re incredibly grateful to the Megaw and Best families for preserving it all these years and for choosing to return it!
Some things are more than just a painting — they’re a connection to the people, stories and memories that make a place what it is🖼️🤍
