Hawthorn Bar, landmark Cork venue beside The Lough, up for sale at €1.5m

Second generation owners at iconic Cork Lough setting are selling up for €1.5m

Key to The Lough:  The Hawthorn Bar & Lounge has traded here since 1961: now's  the chance to buy and further boost trade, say selling agents Keane Mahony Smith

FANCY the chance to buy a business on the doorstep of one of Cork’s most cherished outdoor amenities and visitor attractions? Try the Hawthorn bar, Lough, stock, barrels and abundant birdlife.

Set on the perimeter of The Lough, a protected wildfowl and wildlife reserve in the city and near University College Cork (UCC), the Hawthorn bar and lounge has been in the one family’s hands, the Coakleys, since 1981, growing later in several stages to now include first-floor restaurant and outdoor seating.

Key location at the Lough

It’s a substantial premises, and with a key attraction the fact that you’d never again get permission to have any sort of business in such a setting. In Dublin terms, think what are the chances of a pub by the lake in St Stephen’s Green, or, over Stateside, on New York’s Central Park?

In contrast, Cork’s Hawthorn bar is in near-city centre suburbia, ringed with houses and nests, and has its 7,500 sq ft almost dipping toes into the waters of The Lough, home to swans, geese, ducks, moorhens, and coots. The ‘menu board’ of wildfowl and fish includes carp, eel, perch, rudd, and tench, with catch-and-release fishing allowed for over a decade at this precious, protected environment, with thousands of promenaders passing its doors daily while doing laps of the Lough.

The difficult decision to sell and to retire is being taken by Hawthorn owners Patrick and Catherine Coakley.

Vendors Patrick and Catherine Coakley: the Hawthorn has been in Coakley family hands since set up in 1961, now in second generation care

The business evolved from a house and small bar set up by Patrick’s father, also Patrick, who’d worked in Dunlops and as a small builder: it grew to its substantial scale with a design by architect Harry Wallace, including overhead restaurant (which is leased out).

Small section of the substantial premises

Staff were told this week of the decision to sell as a going concern and it’s listed with estate agent Darragh Taaffe, of Keane Mahony Smith, with a €1.5m guide for what is truly a rare-bird offer.

Mr Taaffe say it’s a very exciting, “once in a lifetime” opportunity to bring it to another level, with under-utilised outdoor areas by the 1.1km busy perimeter path, around the four-hectare, spring-fed city lake.

Room outdoors...

“It’s an iconic hospitality venue, set on the water’s edge of Cork’s beloved Lough, this long-established premises has been in continuous operation under the stewardship of the Coakley family since its construction in 1961,” says Mr Taaffe, adding it’s been very well maintained and upgraded over the years, but has “untapped potential for a vibrant, al fresco food and beverage offering”. Fronting the Lough and on to Hartlands Avenue, with parking across the road, it has both a picturesque and high-profile setting, on a destination visited daily by locals, families, walkers, runners, and close proximity to UCC.

“When we started, UCC had 1,700 students. Now it has 23,000 students,” note vendors Patrick and Catherine Coakley, while agents Keane Mahony Smith say that “with prominent frontage on to Hartland’s Avenue and direct pedestrian access from The Lough, the premises is perfectly positioned to capitalise on constant footfall and growing outdoor hospitality demand.”

“A forward-thinking operator could dramatically increase turnover by enhancing this aspect of the business, supported by strong local foot traffic and an established customer base.” “The Hawthorn enjoys a loyal customer base, strong food and beverage trade, and an unrivalled setting in the heart of Cork City. Whether you’re a seasoned hospitality operator or seeking to diversify your real estate investment portfolio, this is a turnkey business with significant growth potential,” say KMS.

Mr Taaffe says the historically significant setting on The Lough “is a daily destination for walkers, runners, families, tourists, and locals alike. Few hospitality venues can claim such an enviable and visible location — this is Cork’s answer to owning a bar on Central Park,” he asserts.

The bar and split-level lounge premises, with large, picture windows and outdoor screened seating, runs to 7,400 sq ft over two levels, with commercial kitchen, cold rooms, etc, is fully licensed and planning compliant, and has a first-floor restaurant, currently trading as a Chinese restaurant The Royal Palace, held on a 25-year lease from 2010 to 2035. Lease terms are not divulged.

DETAILS: Keane Mahony Smith, 021 4270311, keanemahonysmith.ie