GAA hotel nets €650k after short-lived contest

After almost a year and a half in play, it took just minutes for the sale of Hayes Hotel to clear the bar when the historic hostelry came to auction.

The Co Tipperary premises, where the GAA was founded 130 years ago, went for €650,000 — comfortably above the €450,000 to €500,000 reserve.

Several bidders got involved in the action and interest among spectators was high, but in the end it was a solicitor acting for an unnamed buyer who brought the contest to a close.