Former Limerick pub to be sold to the highest bidder

A FORMER pub in Kilmallock is up for auction and the starting price is set at a very low bar.

The five-bedroom residential and commercial premises on Sarsfield Street is for sale on September 12 via the iamsold bidding platform.

The pub was ran by Jim and Kathleen Lynch for over 20 years but there has been a bar at that location for long before that. It was McAuliffe’s and before that, Cleary’s. 

It was the last remaining pub on Kilmallock’s main street when Jim and Kathleen retired in 2022. 

When they  purchased the premises 25 years ago there were nine pubs on Sarsfield Street.

In the late 80s there were 16 pubs in Kilmallock. 

Now, if you fancy a pint there are only three pubs operating full-time - The Old Stand run by the Howard family, Fitzgerald’s, and Houlihan’s 41 Bar, all on Lord Edward Street.

Pubs on Sarsfield Street to close over the years include Ivan’s, formerly Charlie’s; Flanagan’s; Slavin’s; The Loobagh Bar; The Old Oak Bar and Nightclub; Houlihan’s, formerly Ciss O’Brien’s (Houlihan’s 41 Bar has moved up to Lord Edward Street); The Corner Bar, formerly Cummins’; The Gaelic Bar, and Casey’s.

Auctioneer Paddy Carroll said the pub licence has been sold but there is nothing stopping the new owner from buying one and reopening.

He said it could be a commercial premises and mentions the possibility of a cafe / restaurant or as a home. 

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Mr Carroll points to the prominent position on Sarsfield Street and excellent footfall.

“It is a fine big building. There is fabulous living accommodation with five bedrooms. It is a mixed-use building - you could do various things with it. It is a nice property,” said Mr Carroll, who reports a good level of interest ahead of the auction.

The experienced auctioneer said there are more enquiries from those interested in turning it into a home than from the business community. 

He says the starting price is €155,000 on auction day.