The property arm of a Northern Ireland drinks company has purchased a popular bar and restaurant in the Republic in a sale worth over €2m (£1.8m).
A company linked to Drinks Inc has bought Fitzpatrick’s in Jenkinstown near Carlingford, after its sudden closure around two months ago.
And it’s understood that the businessman behind west Belfast’s Devenish venue, Jim Conlon, will be running the business when it reopens.
Mr Conlon, director of JDM Management, also owns Wolf and Whistle bar, The Rock Bar, GymCo, Pizza Co and The Chip Co, as well as a nightclub in Glasgow.
JDM chef Carl Johannesson has been on Facebook in a bid to recruit staff for Fitzpatrick’s, which has won a number of restaurant industry awards. It’s also known for its collection of traditional agricultural paraphernalia.
The chef said he was looking for “a strong chef team (nine to 10 chefs) in Carlingford, stunning bar and restaurant specialising in steaks and fresh shellfish”.
Fitzpatrick’s sudden closure stunned patrons – many of whom travelled from Northern Ireland to eat there – when it was announced via a Facebook post on May 31.
The pub and restaurant had been run by Danny and Dympna Fitzpatrick – who are also from Northern Ireland – since 1993. They had announced that the Bank of Ireland ordered the closure despite their “best efforts to resolve the matter”.
Fitzpatrick’s, which is around seven miles from Dundalk, was put on the market with an asking price of €1.5m (£1.3m). Estate agent Sherry Fitzgerald Carroll in Dundalk listed the property and described it as “one of the north east’s finest and best known establishments”.
The sale included the property and its associated elements covering nearly nine acres. It includes a “former pet farm facility and adjoining lands”.
The advertisement read: “Renowned worldwide for its fine cuisine, exceptional hospitality and quaint Irish charms, Fitzpatrick’s has been immaculately maintained and presented to the highest standards.
“Its traditional style and charm blends with its modern facilities and equipment to ensure the conveniences are in place for a new operator to continue and grow the trade into the future.”