Park Street Pub

The Tara in Park Street has reportedly changed hands for a selling price in the region of €3.1M, a sum which would have deceased Dundalk publicans spinning in their peaceful graves in St. Patrick's Cemetary at Dowdallshill, and indeed a previous owner, who is very much alive and well, has probably already discussed the staggering price in Bosca an Capaill, in Seatown.

Some years ago it was thought that Dundalk had about 99/100 pubs, although the figure is almost certainly much less now due to development, and the sale of licences, and at that time a similar figure would have secured you ownership of nearly all of them.

It is believed that the Tara was bought 'In Trust', and that the actual purchaser is Ridleys, who have been trying to acquire the pub , which adjoins theirs, for some time.

The rumour machine is in full flight, with stories of how the purchasers 'put one over' Jim McCann, the vendor, and that the current price is less than he refused from them some time ago.

Jim McCann, may be small and portly, and his choice of hairstyles may be questionable, but he is certainly not slow in business, and by earlier refusing a price for the pub, which he is aware they wanted badly to extend their club, he, no doubt, engineered to price to where he wanted it. That's very good business.

Last year McCann sold the Clanbrassil Hotel (formerly the Lorne) for a reported €2.5M, which was probably much better value, having 16 bedrooms and several bars.

Another Blow For Sheep Farmers .

After having restocked their lands, and the Cooley Mountains, following the foot and mouth outbreak, and the culling of every sheep in the area, sheep farmers are said to be finding it difficult to sell wool again this year, due to a diminishing market, and falling prices.

Former IFA Sheep Chairman Michael Holmes says that since hill farmers are still shearing their flocks and will not finish until the end of August they are not yet under pressure to move their wool stocks yet.

Mountain wool, which is coarse, is traditionally used in the carpet making industry, but the fall in carpet sales, resulting from the upsurge in the popularity of timber flooring, is a contributing factor.

Ballymakellet Quarry

Ballymakellet Quarry, which, for the unfamiliar, is close to the Lumpers Pub, between Ravensdale and Dawestown/Jenkinstown, is to re-open for business after nearly half a century, despite 38 local objectors, who now plan to appeal the decision to An Bord Pleanala.

Eco Quarries Ltd., 12 Crowe St., Dundalk were granted the permission for a period of 16 months.

The name Eco Quarries, now there's a contradition in terms, and the guy who conjured up that business name should be doing stand up comedy for a living, since (unless he's serious) appears to have a great sense of humour.

Let's face it, Eco and Quarries, apart from the fact that they are at opposite ends of the dictionary, should hardly be mentioned in the same breath.

Apparently the stone to be quarried there is to be used in the construction of the new motorway section between Dundalk and Newry, which begs the question as to how they managed on the section between Major's Hollow and the southern end of the town.Aren't there already enough 'people-unfriendly' quarries around.

Daiwa Jobs

The refusal by IDA Regional Manager, Pat Doherty, to be drawn into commenting on the recent announcement by Daiwa Securities, that they would shortly be moving into one of the new office blocks on the Dundalk by-pass, at Finnabair Business Park, appears rather ominous. One of those occasions when you are prompted to read between the lines, and dwell more on what wasn't said.

The company's spokesperson, and Human Resourse and Facilities Manager, Susan Duffy, was upbeat in her announcement of the company's plans (well they always are aren't they), but Doherty's refusal to comment other than to say "it would not be unusual for IDA Ireland to be in discussion with several clients with regard to premises", certainly appeared to 'rain on the parade',(so to speak), or sounded as if he would rather say "Yeah right, I'll believe that when I see it".

I sincerely hope that my skepticism is proved wrong, because Dundalk needs, and deserves the boost.

Gazumping in Dundalk

The case of the local man, who through no fault of his own, has lost his 'reserved' new apartment at Saltown, Bellewsbridge Road, due in seems, to the unwillingness of the developer to sign the contract of sale, would make you very hot under the collar.

It is obvious that the developer has realised that the aparment is now worth much more than the €139,500 he agreed to sell it for some time ago when taking the booking deposit.

It's also very likely that it's not the first time that they have engaged in this practise.

The local council should sit up and take note of QH(Developments)Ltd., and it's directors Aidan Kinsella, Marguerite Cooney, and Robert Doyle, 17, Grove Lawn, Malahide, and make sure that future planning applications, from them, are treated with the contempt they deserve.

No doubt many readers will think of other sanctions which could/should be applied to the said developers.