New medical centre is planned for landmark Limerick pub
Patrickswell could be in line for a new medical centre in a closed watering hole
COUNCIL planners are to decide later this month on whether a well-known County Limerick pub can become home to a new medical centre.
Centric Health Primary Care Limited have applied to Limerick City and County Council for a change of use of the current Cú Chulainn bar and restaurant on the Main Street of Patrickswell to use as a medical centre.
Since its foundation in Dublin in 2004, Centric Health has expanded its network of GP clinics throughout Ireland with 76 in total by 2023.
Permission is also sought for a rear upper floor extension to provide for a passenger lift installation, all necessary internal and external alterations, all associated signage, re-use of existing off-street car parking and all associated site development works.
Planners are due to give their decision by August 16.
Affectionately known locally as the “Cú”, the pub has been a mainstay on the edge of Patrickswell for decades.
In January of 2020 - just a couple of months before Covid closed down every bar in the country - the Murphy family called time on their stewardship of one of Patrickwell’s landmark pubs after 50 years at the helm.
Christy Murphy and his cousin, Tom Murphy, took over the bar in November, 1969 and ran it together for more than four decades until John, Christy’s son, stepped in and took his dad’s place in the business. The difficult decision was made to close after Christmas of 2019.
The family were overwhelmed by the messages, calls and gifts from people who had worked in the bar over the years, from customers and from the people who had met their partners in the place.
The Leader reported in January, 2022, that the Cú Chulainn had gone sale agreed. It later reopened as a bar and restaurant after major refurbishment. It closed again in autumn / winter of last year with Rooney Auctioneers listing it on the rental market in January, 2026.
The population of Patrickswell has grown in recent years with a number of housing developments being built and more in the pipeline.
A medical centre could be the latest addition.