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.