Cork says goodbye to Loafers as Ireland’s oldest gay bar closes

Cork institution Loafer’s, which describes itself as the country’s oldest gay bar, closed its door for the final time last night.

In a post on the bar’s Facebook page yesterday, owner Ted O’Connell wrote: “Well friends. It is with a profound sense of sadness that I have to announce that today will be my last day opening the door of Loafer’s. To say the least I am devastated.”

The bar was opened by Derek Gerrity in 1983, a full 10 years before the decriminalisation of homosexuality.