A community staple is opening its doors for the first time since the Horse River wildfire.

Paddy McSwiggins celebrated their grand opening on Thursday after being closed for nearly three-years.

They had been dealing with ongoing insurance issues which kept them closed.

Owner Gareth Norris tells Mix News it’s a moment he’s waited so long for.

“It’s surreal, it’s overwhelming – I don’t think it’s truly sunk in for us yet.”

The Irish Bar has received a big makeover after help from local residents and companies.

Norris says without this help it would have been nearly impossible to reopen.

“We tried to be stubborn and stay in the fight but there are days you start to wonder if it was worth it but (Thursday) made up for all of that.”

Paddy’s was supposed to open earlier in the year, however, construction delays pushed back their grand opening.