Baggot Inn to reopen after seven-year closure

THE Baggot Inn, one of the country’s most famous music venues, is to reopen next month, having been closed for seven years.

In the past the likes of U2, David Bowie, Thin Lizzy and Christy Moore played at the pub, which was closed after it was bought by Louis FitzGerald.

However, the bar, which is on Dublin’s Baggot Street, facing politicians’ watering hole Doheny & Nesbitts, will open its doors again on May 3.

The Baggot Inn was bought by Mr FitzGerald in May 2000 for nearly €7 million from Frank and John Smith. Former Republic of Ireland football manager Jack Charlton had a small stake in the business.

The inn was demolished in 2001 and has since been rebuilt, despite speculation that it would be sold on by Mr FitzGerald and turned into apartments, given the length of time it has taken to complete the redevelopment.

Mr FitzGerald controls one of the country’s largest pub empires, including the Stag’s Head and Kehoes in Dublin, plus The Big Tree, a favourite with GAA fans.

Separately, recently-filed accounts for Sharmane Limited, trading as the Thomas Read Group and owned by hotelier and builder Paddy Kelly, reveal pre-tax losses of €1.15m in the year to May 31 2006, down from the previous year’s loss of €1.7m.