FLEMING ISLAND – References to the island’s most prominent historical family and namesake, the Flemings, cover the walls and tables of the Hibernia Pub, the revamped Irish bar and restaurant at The Fleming Island Golf Club.

The club owner and professional golfer Charles Raulerson had some free time when he was in Seattle for a tournament qualifier. He researched the concept of an Irish pub at the course based around the family.

“I stumbled across George Fleming and him coming here in 1781 and kept exploring,” Raulerson said.

Raulerson laughed when he recalled how his business partner and restaurant consultant Mike Dravo wasn’t keen on the idea at first.

He was motivated to compile information at the Clay County Archives – with the help of archives specialist Vishi Garig – and he made a PowerPoint presentation. Raulerson said Dravo was impressed and agreed to come on board.

The tables and logo are fashioned after a half-penny from 1805, emblazoned with King George’s crown and a harp. Fleming, an Irishman, fought against Indians and the British with the Spanish and was granted land by the Spanish governor of Florida.

Hibernia is the Latin name for Ireland. The golf course sits on what was the Flemings property.

To create an Irish pub ambiance, the inside and outside were painted and the flooring was redone. The pub added an Irish menu and seven televisions. The renovations cost between $75,000-$100,000, Raulerson said, and took about 90 days.

Raulerson even asked the current Fleming family members if he could use photos of their descendants. Francis Fleming, the 15th governor of Florida, is the first portrait near the entry.

“They said, ‘Absolutely,’” Raulerson said. “That was a nice blessing.”

There was a lack of similar restaurants the further you went past County Road 220, he said. The Hibernia Pub was a place specific to Fleming Island.

“We sit in the middle of 5,000 rooftops and there’s no restaurants down here. Everything is on County Road 220,” Raulerson said. “This was just a home run to me. It truly represents this island. It truly represents the Fleming family.”