Popular West Cork restaurant Poachers up for sale for €750,000

The two-storey, 2,700sq ft Poachers can cater for 60 sit-down customers downstairs, while overhead ‘Little Poachers’ can seat 50.

Much-loved Poachers bar and restaurant in Bandon, West Cork.

It’s where they first met, and where they went on to build their livelihood, but after 20 years in the business, Barry and Catherine McLaughlin are calling time on the much-loved Poachers bar and restaurant in Bandon, West Cork.

“We’d a good run, 20 years, and our kids did their bit too. We’ve had some great people working for us over the years and the local community has given us fantastic support, along with a strong passing trade,” Barry said.

The husband-and-wife team were a good combination to run Poachers, as Barry is a chef who previously worked in Kinsale’s popular Fishy Fishy restaurant, while Catherine’s background is in accounting.

“I worked in the kitchen and Catherine did front-of-house and the business admin,” Barry said.

Catherine & Barry McLaughlin at the Poachers in Bandon.

Both were familiar with the venue when they bought it, Barry said: “Catherine had worked there for five years, since her teens, and I’d have gone in there after rugby training — the relationship might have blossomed from there. When we came around to getting this business, we went into it together. I had wanted to open my own place for a while and we were very keen on Bandon as it’s where we are from. When this came up, we had a good connection to it.”

The couple aren’t quite ready to retire, but having reached the 20-year milestone, they’re weighing up their options.

Poachers will continue to trade, as selling agent Sam Kingston of Casey & Kingston seeks a buyer for the landmark premises, west of Bandon town centre, on the Clonakilty Rd.

“We’ll remain open, so there’s no panic with vouchers,” said the owner.

Guiding at €750,000, two-storey, 2,700sq ft Poachers can cater for 60 sit-down customers downstairs, while overhead ‘Little Poachers’ can seat 50.

“We use upstairs for overflow and busy weekends, but we also use it for private functions. It has its own bar and it’s a nice space,” Barry said. An attractive outdoor area — ideal for BBQs — can seat another 50 people. Parking is plentiful out front.

Mr Kingston points out that Poachers is on the Wild Atlantic Way and that it’s ready-to-go for the buyer.

“All the heavy lifting has been done by the current owners and it’s a fantastic opportunity to take over one of West Cork’s most outstanding hospitality venues,” the agent added.

The premises also includes a commercial kitchen, two cold rooms, and a rear yard where trucks can unload.

Details: email, [e-mail]; telephone, 0214271127

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