Wetherspoon arrives but no sign of the black stuff

Its first opening in the Republic may be in the home of the black stuff, but Wetherspoons could get a black mark from the Dublin locals as it has decided not to stock Guinness.

The British pub giant has spent €2.38m developing its new location on the site of the former Tonic Bar, in Temple Road, Blackrock, and will throw open its doors to the public with the creation of 60 jobs next Tuesday.

The new pub will be called the Three Tun Tavern — according to Wetherspoons there was The Three Tun Tavern in Blackrock in the latter half of the 18th century.

“It was ‘kept by one Bishop, a worthy host and was renowned for its good cheer’,” a spokesman explained.

Wetherspoons spokesman Eddie Gershon said the price Diageo wanted would not have allowed Wetherspoons to sell Guinness at the price it wanted.

Instead, the company will sell both Beamish and Murphys, which are brewed by Heineken in Cork, at €3.95 per pint. Other local beers will include Tom Crean’s Irish Lager.