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Fans of Irish cuisine have a new destination option in south Lee County.

Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub opened Thursday at 18767 South Tamiami Trail in San Carlos Park. Ed Gault, who owns the restaurant and two other Southwest Florida Fitzgerald’s locations with his wife, Liz, calls the establishment a place where people can find “wholesome, hot pub grub.”

The newest Fitzgerald’s is in the building that most recently was home to Carson’s American Bistro. Gault said the couple bought the place because of its visibility from U.S. 41, the high number of year-round residents in the immediate area and the fact that there are few competing restaurants nearby.

“We just think the people in the San Carlos area deserve a good pub,” he said.

Gault said the restaurant’s menu is identical to the one at his other restaurants. It features traditional Irish dishes like corned beef and cabbage, corned beef chowder and Irish stew along with American-style dishes like burgers and salads.

Pam Franco, a manager at the San Carlos Park location, said preparations are under way for a New Year’s Eve event that will include performances by an Irish singer along with a 7 p.m. whiskey toast to ring in Ireland’s new year and a midnight champagne toast to celebrate the local arrival of 2008.

“It’s definitely going to be a celebration,” she said.

The Gaults opened their first restaurant on Bonita Beach Road three years ago shortly after moving to Southwest Florida from Belfast, Ireland. A Naples location followed last year. Gault credits Fitzgerald’s success to a mix of quality food, affordable prices and live entertainment.

Those same qualities were factors in the Gaults’ decision to open a third location despite a tight economy. With menu prices ranging from $7 to $24 and no cover charge for entertainment, the Gaults think Fitzgerald’s is a fit for couples and families looking for an affordable night on the town.

“The economy today is definitely not what it was but sometimes out of the ashes comes an avenue when it comes to supply and demand,” he said.

And as the newest Fitzgerald’s gets up and running, Franco is laying the groundwork for its first St. Patrick’s Day celebration in March, which will be a three-day event featuring tents, live music, green beer and traditional Irish fare.

“I’m getting busy on cutting the permits next week,” she said. “It’s going to be a big event.”