Former Milk Market bar
WELL-KNOWN nightclub owner Flan Costello has sought permission to build a backpackers’ hostel in Limerick city centre.
Limerick has been without a full-time youth hostel for more than 20 years.
But now Mr Costello, who owns the well-known nightclub at Dominic Street, is seeking to reignite plans to convert the upper levels of the former Milk Market Bar in Mungret Street into a youth hostel.
In papers submitted to Limerick City and County Council planners, Mr Costello outlined the plans to convert part of the ground floor and the entire first and second floors into youth hostel accommodation.
He’s also seeking to extend the first-floor of the currently closed bar to bring in a new smoking area.
At present, Limerick is the only city in Ireland which does not have a youth hostel.
It’s unclear how many beds are proposed in this proposal.
In 2014 and 2018, the businessman secured planning permission for a 20-bed hostel at the old pub.
The difference with this application is that Mr Costello is seeking the change-of-use of part of the ground floor into a youth hostel.
Before, it was only the upper floors which would be converted.
At present, the building houses the old bar on the ground floor and six apartments over two floors above.
If the development goes ahead, it would mean Limerick would have its own youth hostel for the first time since 2003 when An Oige in Pery Square shut.
Prior to its closure in 2010, the venue located in Mungret Street was known as Molyneaux’s.
It was a famous GAA pub bought originally by Mick Molyneaux in the early 1950s and passed on to his son Jack.
A prominent member of Claughaun GAA, he built up the business with wife, Peggy. It was then passed to Jack’s son Michael Molyneaux.
During the recession, it was sold in a receivership auction for just €40,000.
Council will decide on the fresh plans by October 25.
Mr Costello had not returned a request for comment as the Leader went to press last night.
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