Historic Cork pub An Spailpín Fánach hits the market with guide price of over €1.5m

Cork’s beloved An Spailpín Fánach pub is for sale after 34 years, offering investors a high-profile city venue

An Spailpín Fánach on South Main Street

Historic Cork City pub An Spailpín Fánach has been put on the market after almost 35 years in operation. 

With a guide price in excess of €1.5m, the long-standing pub has been a staple in the city centre for trad and Irish-language events, with the bar's upstairs floor hosting a series of comedy and DJ sets over the last several years. 

First founded in 1779 across the street from the Brewery Quarter, this is the first time in 34 years that this premises will change ownership, with owner John O'Connor now deciding to retire, says Glenn O'Connor of DNG Creedon Finn O Connor Auctioneers.

Located on Cork's South Main Street, the property has two bars, one on the ground floor and the second on the first floor, which is a private function room. 

An Spailpín Fánach on South Main Street

The bars extend to around 442 sq m, with the building having the added benefit of three overhead two-bedroom apartments, which are fully rented. 

Each apartment is fully occupied and will be sold with the benefit of sitting tenants.

The agent is pitching the well-known property as having "valuable rental income," noting it as "an excellent opportunity to acquire a substantial city centre iconic licensed hospitality venue" with potential for further expansion.

One of three apartments above Spailpín Fánach on South Main Street

It is being pitched as a "renowned establishment" within a 10-minute walk of the main UCC campus, with tourist destinations including St. Finbarr's Cathedral, The Elizabeth Fort and Nano Nagle Place.

The sale is the latest development to take place on the historic 'Brewery Quarter', which includes the People's Park, Tuckey Street, the old Beamish & Crawford Site and South Main Street, all of which have been undergoing a major regeneration project over the past year to the value of €44m.

It is also the location of the long-delayed Events Centre, the board for which was released in March. It will oversee the new procurement process, which the Government said was required, given the scale of increase in available State funding for the proposed 6,000 capacity venue on South Main Street, which had its sod turned nine years ago.

An Spailpín Fánach on South Main Street

The sale of An Spailpín Fánach is the latest amid a series of dramatic changes for Cork's pub industry, with around 50 pubs currently for sale in Cork city and county.

These include the Hawthorn Bar by the Lough, the Cotton Ball in Mayfield, the Outpost in Bishopstown and the Flying Enterprise on the nearby Sullivans Quay.