| Changing times for landmark Northside pubs |
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| Thursday, 09 October 2008 | |
 AS THE property boom blossomed over the last 10 years a large number of north Dublin’s landmark public houses and hotels were snapped up for redevelopment.But many of these sites earmarked for the construction of apartments remain undeveloped. And in the current restricted financial climate, no business appears to have been adversely affected more than the licensed trade. When considering the sale of licensed premises for redevelopment on Dublin’s Northside, one cannot overlook the Dollymount Inn in Clontarf. The premises, hugely popular with locals for decades, was sold over two years ago for an astonishing e12 million, some e3 million over the guide price at the time. In addition to having the advantage of an acre site overlooking the sea, the property also has the added attraction of a Z3 rezoning that allows a developer flexibility in deciding on the most profitable mix of buildings for the site. However, over two years after the deal was sealed no construction work has started on the site. According to John Younge, an auctioneer in Lower Pembroke Street who specialises in the sale of licensed premises, the pub market effectively closes down for the summer and is now only beginning to re-establish itself. “It’s rather like the Dáil, not a lot happens during the summer,” he said. “But I would see the lack of activity around sites that have been sold for redevelopment as being indicative of the lack of general activity in the current residential market.” Mr Younge said two factors probably contributed to the huge price tag the Dollymount Inn managed to realise. “The zoning and the location would have largely contributed to the sale,” he said. “The site would make an ideal residential complex overlooking the sea and Dublin Bay as it does.” Mr Younge pointed out that another nearby pub, The Pebble Beach, has recently come on the market – but not for redevelopment. “This pub has the potential to attract some of the Dollymount Inn’s former clientele as it has the potential to serve food, ,” he explained Further down the road towards the city centre is the Yacht Bar, a good if increasingly rare example of a licensed premises that recently changed hands for big money. And it continues to do brisk business. However, down the road in Howth a different picture awaits you. In the village, at Church Street, you will find the site of the former Lighthouse Bar that was demolished well over a year ago. Publican Mick Grace, who has several other licensed premises dotted around Dublin, purchased the corner site but the building of a new pub and apartments appears to have stalled in recent times. Around the corner is one of Howth’s oldest pubs, The Cock Tavern. A new development on this site has so far yet to materialise. If you head right up the hill you will find the Summit Inn where An Bord Pleanála has granted planning permission for a redevelopment of the pub and 36 apartments. However, there is currently no sign of construction work beginning there. Back down in Howth Village perhaps an indicator of changing times for licensed premises can be found in the Pier House on the promenade. Recently purchased by local developer Denis Finn and always one of Howth’s bigger pubs, The Pier House is now operating on one floor, the upstairs having being converted into a restaurant. As you move along Howth’s promenade you come to the former site of the St Lawrence Hotel, now an upmarket apartment complex. Head further along the road and you come to the site of the former Claremont /Howth Lodge Hotel, a once hugely popular drinking spot and today home of - you guessed it - more apartments. However, it should be pointed out that the sale of both these hotel sites was achieved during far more buoyant financial times. The pub landscape has also changed seven miles away in Finglas. The Bottom Of The Hill pub closed over a year ago after planning permission was secured for apartments, a medical centre and over 100 car parking spaces. But now the two-storey bar building is being renovated and is expected to reopen for business shortly. Close by on Finglas Road the site of the Royal Oak public house remains quiet after the pub was demolished when developers secured planning permission for three residential blocks. Planning permission was only granted here after a series of protracted battles with local residents over issues of height and density, but there are still no signs of development taking place. |
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North Dublin Publications, 80-83 Omni Park, Santry, Dublin 9. Phone 8621611 | Fax 8621625/6
Developed by Kevin Flynn