MEATH MUM VOWS TO REBUILD RESTAURANT AFTER FIRE JUST MONTHS AFTER TWO DEVASTATING FLOODS

An Irish mother-of-four has vowed to rebuild her beloved restaurant after it was gutted by a devastating fire — just months after the business had already battled two major floods.

Ciara Burke, founder of Sage & Stone, a popular family-run restaurant and farmyard business in Duleek, Co Meath, is facing another major setback after a fire caused extensive damage to the premises.

The blaze broke out at around 6pm on Friday at Sage & Stone at Newlanes House.

Fire crews rushed to the scene as flames and thick black smoke engulfed parts of the property.

Thankfully, nobody was injured, but the damage was extensive enough to force the business to close until further notice.

“WE ARE ALL JUST TRAUMATISED AND SHOCKED”

Burke was in Duleek having dinner and was looking forward to spending a week away with friends when she received a phone call from her daughter telling her that the restaurant was on fire.

She later described the experience as devastating and said the family were “traumatised and shocked”.

But amid the destruction, she stressed one thing that mattered most — nobody had been inside the premises when the fire broke out.

Assessors and forensic experts are now examining the site to establish the seat of the blaze.

At this stage, the cause of the fire has not been publicly established.

36 STAFF SUDDENLY LEFT WITHOUT WORK

The fire has also created an immediate crisis for the business’s 36 employees.

Burke said one of the hardest parts of the aftermath was having to tell her staff that they no longer had work at the Duleek premises.

For the business owner, however, the staff are much more than employees.

She described them as friends and members of her extended family, saying their support had helped her through previous difficult periods.

Now, she is facing the challenge of rebuilding not only the restaurant but also finding a way forward for the people who depend on it.

THE BUSINESS WAS MORE THAN JUST A RESTAURANT

Sage & Stone had developed into a much broader family business.

Alongside its restaurant, the site included a gift and antique shop and a dog park, while the venue also hosted events and markets.

The official Sage & Stone website describes the business as a family-run farmyard destination offering freshly prepared food, coffee, gifts, homewares and events. It has also served as a meeting place for local families, friends and visitors.

That community role became particularly clear after the fire, when residents flooded social media with messages of support.

One local resident described the business as not simply a farm or restaurant, but a community hub and peaceful retreat.

Others promised to support the team again when the doors eventually reopen.

TWO FLOODS HAD ALREADY HIT THE BUSINESS

The latest disaster comes after an extraordinarily difficult year for Burke.

Earlier in 2026, Sage & Stone was forced to close after storm flooding hit the restaurant twice within just a few weeks.

During the first incident in January, water seeped through the floors and walls and backed up through drains after heavy rainfall caused flooding around the premises.

Burke said the concrete floors became completely saturated with moisture and that significant repair work was required.

Then, shortly after reopening, another bout of heavy rain caused the premises to flood again.

On that occasion, water reportedly reached knee height inside the restaurant.

The business had to throw out newly installed flooring, clean the premises and carry out further repairs.

Despite the setback, Burke and her staff worked through the night and managed to reopen in time for Valentine’s Day, with customers turning out to show their support.

“I CAN’T GIVE UP”

Those previous experiences appear to have strengthened Burke’s determination.

After the fire, she acknowledged that the restaurant will now have to be completely rebuilt.

There are still major questions surrounding insurance, assessments, paperwork and the practicalities of reconstruction.

But Burke has already begun thinking about how she can keep the business alive while that work takes place.

She even joked that if necessary, she would put up a circus tent and serve takeaway coffee.

She compared the idea to The Greatest Showman and said Sage & Stone would return in some form.

“It will open again in some shape or form soon because it is the hub of the community,” Burke said.

AN OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT

In the aftermath of the fire, Burke said she had been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by people from the local community and beyond.

People have offered equipment and practical assistance, while others have arrived with flowers, food and messages of support.

She said it had felt like a major loss for the entire community rather than simply the destruction of one business.

The response has reflected the importance Sage & Stone had developed in Duleek over the years.

Even before the fire, the business had repeatedly relied on the support of customers and local businesses to recover from the flooding.

Now that support has returned once again.

A MAJOR FLEA MARKET CANCELLED

The fire also forced Sage & Stone to cancel what was expected to be its biggest open-air flea market.

The event had been scheduled for the Saturday following the blaze, but the extensive damage meant the premises could not be used.

The business subsequently confirmed that it would remain closed until further notice. Its website currently carries the same closure notice.

“WE WILL BE BACK”

For Burke, the fire represents another enormous challenge after a year already marked by repeated flooding and costly repairs.

Yet she has refused to describe it as the end of Sage & Stone.

Instead, she says she intends to rebuild and return stronger.

“I’m resilient and we will be back, bigger and better than ever,” she said.

The investigation into the fire continues, while Burke and her team face the long process of assessing the damage and planning the rebuild.

For now, the restaurant’s doors remain closed.

But in Duleek, the messages of support continue to arrive — and the woman behind Sage & Stone is already looking towards the next chapter.

After surviving two floods and now a devastating fire, Ciara Burke says the story of Sage & Stone is not over yet.