Top vintner buys Glanmire hotel

THE John Barleycorn Hotel in Glanmire, Cork, has just changed hands for around €5 million.

It was bought in trust through Frank V Murphy auctioneers by multi-pub owner Tom Scriven.

There are reports that he acted jointly in the purchase with Joe O’Donovan, the businessman who has shot to prominence in recent weeks with his involvement in the €124m Wilton Shopping Centre, and a €6m deal on the Oyster Tavern, bought from Tom Scriven.

The John Barleycorn was sold by the Loftus family, who got planning permission last year to redevelop it as a 58-bed hotel.

Also recently sold in Glanmire was the Riverstown Inn, for €1.3m. The buyer was Pat Murphy of the Fox and Hounds.

Meanwhile, Mr Scriven has also taken over ownership of the Manhattan Bar in Cork city’s Ballyphehane suburb, in a €2m deal, and he is closing a deal on an unspecified €5m bar and nightclub complex in the city.