To Youghal by the sea: Iconic Marine Bar at just €375,000 is ready for new wave of success

Marine Bar and hotel in a charismatic Victorian build has been 70 years and three generations in family hands: what and who's next?

Wed, 30 Jul, 2025 - 22:55

Property Editor Tommy Barker reports Pictures: Ryan Lynch

A 70-YEAR slice of seaside life and musical hospitality in Youghal faces a turnaround with a family sale after three generations of tending the lovely Marine Bar, and former guesthouse/hotel, by the strand and new East Cork greenway’s end point.

Upstanding: The Marine has over 5,000 sq ft and had up to 15 bedrooms

A 70 year slice of seaside life and musical hospitality in Youghal faces a turnaround with a family sale after three generations tending of the lovely Marine Bar, and former guesthouse/hotel, by the strand and new East Cork greenway’s end point.

And, even the price, at €375,000 (up from a 1956 purchase at £550), seems delightfully old-fashioned, but reflects the fact new owners will have to roll up their sleeves on this grand old Victorian build, with over 5,000 sq ft and up to 15 bedrooms at peak.

Calling time are siblings Julie, Jasper, Blaise and Muiris Sheehan whose parents Brian (Travers) Sheehan and Paula previous ran the Marine, having taken over from their grandmother Ellen Broderick who bought in two adjoining houses in 1956 and set up her bar and guest business.

It traded first as a ‘hatch licence’, generally used to sell alcohol off a premises, and a more modest form of licence, now almost a legacy memory of the trade, and she later developed a more rounded bar which served Youghal and myriad visitors in the seaside town’s halcyon days, when the train delivered thousands of day trippers from the city (Ellen Broderick had come from Inchigaggin, and married a local butcher) and PGs, paying guests.

Generations: Ellen Broderick with Elsa and Paula

Ellen Broderick had bought the properties as a business venture and as “as an early retirement project,” says granddaughter Julie. Ellen had eight children – as well as her fledgling Youghal business

One of Ellen Broderick’s daughters, later Paula, took on the Marine along with her husband Brian Sheehan, who was also a musician.

Going for a song: The Shandells with Brian Sheehan

Brian played with the Youghal four-piece band The Shandells with Tom Pomeroy, Howard Hughes, and Liam Gaffney: they played rock and roll rather than showbands material in Redbarn among other venues, covering the likes of the Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Chuck Berry and more, recalls daughter Julie, adding Brian also played live ‘at home’ in the Marine.

It’s change of tune time now for the Marine Bar. Brian died in 2017, predeceased by Paula in 1999 and their son Muiris ran it, mostly open at weekends since, but the four siblings have now decided to sell.

The Marine is listed with estate agent Adrianna Hegarty who says her price guide of €375,000 reflects the fact it needs refurbishment, particularly on the upper floors, and describes it as “a truly iconic property in one of Youghal's most historic and scenic locations, dating to the 1850s and “originally two stately villas which later became home to the much-loved Marine Bar.”

Ms Hegarty says it’s big enough to be versatile, and may get repurposed to a refreshed commercial venture, café by the greenway or more, or may revert to an exceptional private residence, or two.

The three storey, 5,600 sq ft property has dual road frontage, to the Upper Strand and Golf Links Road, with a protected facade.

“It’s a truly unique opportunity, the Marine invites a visionary buyer to restore its character or reimagine its future in this picturesque seaside setting, just 80 metres from Youghal’s seafront, with commanding views by and Capel Island views,” says Ms Hegarty.