Harp & Hound has been a beloved spot in the Town of Islip since it opened its doors in 2020. Whether it’s grabbing a quick bite, meeting friends for a weekend night out, or simply enjoying the warm Irish pub atmosphere, the establishment has quickly become a dependable community gathering place. In just five short years, it built a following that feels more like family — one that stretches far beyond Main Street.
But this past week, Harp & Hound faced the kind of hardship no business ever expects. A fire broke out inside the building, causing extensive damage and abruptly halting the good memories, celebrations, and daily routines that made the pub such a staple in Islip.
Partners of Harp & Hound, Kyra Comiskey, Heather Hemberger-Poli, Nick Jimenez, and Matt Venturini, have taken pride in serving the Islip community and have all worked tremendously hard, day in and day out, to maintain a spot that everyone wants to return to — all of whom have been deeply hurt by this past week’s events.
Harp & Hound has always made it a priority to give back to the community. The business regularly participated in fundraisers, charity events, and small acts of kindness, which strengthened its connection with residents. Just this past Saturday, they hosted a fundraiser for an East Islip school scholarship. Community has always been the heartbeat of their business.
Then, only a few short days after, on Wednesday morning, Kyra Comiskey said she received the phone call that flipped her world upside down.
In the midst of the chaos — with firefighters, officers, EMTs, and community members gathering nearby — part-owner Kyra remained grateful for everyone who rushed to help. Many of the first responders on scene were familiar faces who regularly visited the restaurant, making their support at that moment even more meaningful.
Luckily, no one was harmed in the fire, and their building was the only one damaged, but the cause was an electrical issue in the walls between their building and the one next to it.
Now, Harp & Hound is closed and has no answers at the current moment. But their story does not end here. The team at Harp & Hound has a goal of returning to Islip on Main Street as soon as possible.
“We will be back better than ever. If I can flip a switch to be back open tomorrow, I would.” Kyra Comiskey told The Messenger. “My partners, my staff, and the community are my backbone; I can’t thank them enough,” she added.
Many are ready for Harp & Hound to return home when the time is right. In the meantime, after everything Harp & Hound has done for this community, it’s the community’s turn to support them when they need it most. For those looking to donate or take part in upcoming fundraisers, several events have already been announced. On November 24, Lily Flanagan’s in Babylon will be hosting a fundraiser. On December 12, Hibernian Hall will hold another event, and on December 14, Great South Bay Brewery will also host a fundraiser to support the team.
We wish the entire Harp & Hound team the very best, and we cannot wait to see them rise from the ashes and become a treasured part of the Islip community once again.
To keep up with the updates, follow them on Instagram @theharpandhoundny.
