Trend setting Macroom bar

THE original of a species, a Macroom bar which spawned a host of nationwide copies with its stone floors, exposed stone walls, brick and rough-hewn timbers, is about to change hands once again.

Don's Bar is the current name over the door, prior to that it was Fureys, and when it was JP Quinlans from 1988 it set a trend for the abundant use of natural materials (and reintroduction of sawdust on the floors) that is still in evidence in probably hundreds of bars around the country today.

Ex-haulier Don O'Lary bought the thriving business three years ago with his wife Gobnait, nee Quill, who also built a stone faced large guesthouse by the lakes on the Lee several years ago. Last year the couple bought the landmark Mills Inn in Ballyvourney in a private multi-million euro deal.