IT might sound like a lot of hot air, but diehard fans of hit US animated TV series, The Simpsons, will soon be able to drop into their very own Moe's Tavern and order a pint of Duff beer.
The fictional watering hole is the latest inflatable pub on offer from south Armagh businesswoman, Lisa McMahon Winters, who recently secured the brand licence from 20th Century Fox.
A launch is planned in Newry next month by Inflatable Pubs (www.inflatable.pub) and, following talks with Disney, a blow-up replica of The Quiet Man cottage – from the eponymous Hollywood movie – is also due on the market in May.
For the entrepreneurial mother-of-three, business is – literally – expanding on a weekly basis after Inflatable Pubs provided the VIP hospitality tent at this year's St Patrick's Day parade in Chicago.
Her company website is currently attracting over 2,400 hits per day with units sold worldwide – the US, Canada and Australia are currently the biggest markets, but pubs for retail are set to launch in UAE and Asia this summer.
"With the release of Moe's Tavern, I might have to test out the famous Duff beer, as LA and Fox have requested Duff be served," Lisa said, following her latest business trip to Dubai last week. "They are already working on shipments to Ireland."
Meanwhile, negotiations are continuing with a major American National Football League team to create a bespoke unit for promotional events and a number of multinational retailers have sought orders for 'consumer pubs' for purchasing in-store and online.
Due to the upsurge in demand and a burgeoning order book, seven new employees will be hired over the next five months.
Originally from Limerick but now living in Dromintee with her husband – a south Armagh native – Lisa started up her company Party Hire and Events Ltd after working in New York and following 15 years in the corporate world of telecommunications in Dublin.
"I was always thinking of new business ideas," she said, "so, I started up Party Hire and Events. I wanted to be different, but I wasn't interested in the normal, bouncy castles.
"After a bit of market research, I started off with giant games, popcorn and candy floss machines, but the biggest hit was an outdoor movies screen – we were the first company in Ireland to have this option in our portfolio."
Her attention then turned to inflatable pubs which were safe, durable, easy-to erect and could be adapted for anything from a quirky garden party to a milestone corporate event.
"I have now sub-contracted all rental businesses and am concentrating on sales, where I am most happy," said Lisa, whose pop-up pubs can hold up to 60 people and come with fully kitted-out flooring, lighting, bar, optics, taps, seating and tables – and even a welcoming fireplace.
"Customers need only supply their own alcohol," she added. "Then they can sit back and enjoy an unforgettable party experience – with or without Duff beer."
