Porter will continue to be served in Limerick pub after sale

THE NEW owner of Portley’s Pub hopes to tap into its existing clientele and attract new customers to its city centre location.

Gordon Kearney, managing director of Rooney Auctioneers, confirmed to Limerick Live the premises on the junction of Broad Street and Lock Quay has been sold. 

The property comprises of a public house at ground floor level and two two-bedroom apartments on the first and second floor level. 

Mr Kearney reports a lot of enquiries in Portley’s, which has now been renamed Half & Half Bar.

“The property attracted strong interest and was sold after a number of interested parties bid on it. We are delighted to report that the pub will continue to operate as a pub.

“It's an old-world pub, was very well run and has a good core business. It’s a very attractive corner pub. The strong interest resulted in a number of bidders for the pub and it sold for a strong figure. When the pub market is struggling in a lot of places, it's great to see that vote of confidence in a city centre pub,” said Mr Kearney.

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The managing director of Rooney Auctioneers said Portley's has splendid features such as tiled floor, arch windows to Lock Quay, timber ceiling, fireplace with large mirror overhead, among others. 

The fact that it is remaining a watering hole is in stark contrast to other bars Mr Kearney has sold in recent times.

“I've sold a number of pubs - mainly in rural locations but some in the city - that have sold on their liquor licence and converted the building to residential.

"I suppose it is positive in one way - it's creating residential accommodation - but it's not great to see the stock of pubs depleting the whole time. So this was fantastic to have a pub sold that's going to continue trading as a pub,” said Mr Kearney. 

The sale price has not been disclosed.