Clohessy bar ‘crucified’ by roadworks

Former Irish rugby player Peter Clohessy said yesterday that his pub business in Limerick is being “crucified” at the moment by works associated with a €5m plan to open up Limerick to the River Shannon.

Mr Clohessy was commenting yesterday on new accounts showing that accumulated losses at the company, Clohessy’s Bar Limerick Ltd that operates his pub and nightclub increased by €180,495 from €323,644 to €504,139 in the year to the end of August 2012.

However, Mr Clohessy said that the loss arose from non-cash items including depreciation and the firm recorded a cash profit for the year.

The business employs 40 people and Mr Clohessy said that Limerick’s Munster hurling win last Sunday and the Bruce Springsteen concert on Tuesday “have been a great boost to business”.

However, he said that the summer has been lost to the pub with the roadworks are due to be complete in September.

The roadworks are part of a Limerick City Council, Shannon Development, Fáilte Ireland project opening up the city to the River Shannon that includes a boardwalk across the road.

Mr Clohessy said: “The boardwalk will be good for business in the long run, but at the moment, it is hurting us.”

Mr Clohessy is one of six directors along with Tom O’Riordan of Compass Hill, Kinsale; John Gaffney of Ballyleigh, Waterfall; Barry Harte of Parochial House, Timoleague; Tom Kingston of Corran, Waterfall and Brian Smith of Springfort, Montenotte.