Working from home is a given at €285k Frank's Fryer, a Lismore property with links to Éamon De Valera  

Former home of the late Fianna Fáil TD Seán Goulding is on the market at a first-time-buyer price

Frank's Fryer, Lismore

History and hospitality collide at Frank’s Fryer, a new-to-market living-over-the-shop classic in Lismore, Co Waterford, where regular guests once included Éamon de Valera, former taoiseach and president of Ireland.

On the market at an enticing first-time buyer price (€285,000), the residential/commercial/historical property was once known as Goulding’s Corner or “Ua Guilidhe”, erstwhile home of Gaeilgeoir Seán Goulding, Fianna Fáil TD for West Waterford (1927-1937), later chair of the Irish Senate, and Dev’s “right-hand man”.

Frank's Fryer, Lismore (Gouldings)

“Dev used to stay there,” said current owner, Niall Healy, who bought the three-storey, end-of-terrace premises with wife Chiara in 2001.

Local lore suggests that Mr Goulding’s daughter found documents hidden within the walls of the house, including maps and pencil sketches believed to relate to proposed electoral boundary plans for the new State.

Following their purchase, the Healys opened Ó Héalaithe Castle Grill & Pizza in the ground floor commercial unit and lived overhead, carrying out extensive refurbishment works, including installing a new central heating system and new double glazed heritage-style windows.

The premises dates to 1847 and the owners note the ground floor has a long history of commercial use.

Former hardware store

“Photographs from the 1920s show a shopfront.

“It started out as a hardware store and pub, but was subsequently taken over by the auxiliaries [British paramilitary police] and used as a pay station.

“There’s a safe built into the wall downstairs and personnel would reportedly come from police barracks in the area to get paid,” Mr Healy said.

In 1966, the property was bought by Jim Sheehan, who operated a butcher’s shop, replacing it in later years with a tearoom.

The Healys ran it as a grill for a period, before leasing it out.

Dining in at Frank's Fryer, Lismore

For the past decade it has operated as Frank’s Fryer under tenant management.

The Healys are selling up now and are offering the premises with vacant possession or, with the existing business continuing — depending on the buyer’s preference. Mr Healy said it’s a “thriving business”, with both restaurant and takeaway trade.

Kitchen of the living quarters

Upper floor living room

The historic 290sq m property with both commercial and residential strands and an intriguing history, includes a large five-bedroom, five-bathroom family home, with elegant sitting room and original features; a converted attic with Velux windows framing views of lovely Lismore Castle; and a private outdoor space off the second floor kitchen, which also overlooks the castle.

With separate commercial and residential entrances, the ground floor hosts a fully operational retail space with rest rooms, kitchen, preparation room and freezer room “thus offering excellent potential for continued use as a cafe, takeaway, or alternative ventures”, says selling agent Brian Gleeson of Brian Gleeson Property.

Situated in the heart of Lismore, it’s less than an hour from the cities of Cork and Waterford, and offers a nice lifestyle, from scenic walks along the River Blackwater, to renowned local festivals such as the Lismore Opera Festival. Schools and sport are well catered for and the area is noted for its excellent hospitality offerings.

Details: Email [e-mail], or by phone at 058 44200.