'Best panorama in the country': Sherkin Island's Jolly Roger pub on the market for €475,000

The well-loved pub is set to change hands after more than a decade

Thu, 21 May, 2026 - 08:07

Catherine Shanahan

ANYONE who has ever gone on a weekend jolly to Sherkin Island will recognise the whitewashed walls and bright blue trimmings of this tremendously well-loved pub which has come up for sale with a guide price of €475,000.

Officially The Jolly Roger, but better known by the more clipped version of “The Jolly”, it’s as much a feature of a trip to Sherkin as a visit to the island’s two superb beaches at Cow Strand and Silver Strand.

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Arguably the pub with the best panorama in the country, The Jolly - which takes its name from the area's colourful pirate history - looks out over West Cork’s Roaring Water Bay from its elevated perch, uphill from the pier.

Just a quick 10-minute ferry trip from the picturesque mainland village of Baltimore, the pub has been the scene of legendary music sessions, milestone events and even the odd wedding over the years.

Owned for a decade or so by Raymond O’Sullivan, who ran it himself for a timebe fore letting it out to tenant operators – mostly islanders – it's been in the same ownership since 2014 when it acquired by Deirdre Youell and her husband Jeremy.

“My mother was from Sherkin and I spent all my childhood holidays here and have many relations on the island,” Deirdre said.

While the couple lived overseas with their kids for years, as teacher Jeremy worked on the International school circuit, living in African and the Middle East, they decided to buy The Jolly in 2014. It had closed down the previous year and the Youells, with the help of family, got the business back up and running.

Now that their children are reared and moved on, they're planning their own next phase of life.

In the meantime, Frank O’Driscoll of Hodnett Forde auctioneers is busy with enquiries – some from as far afield as the USA - and he’s already received two bids, one at the €475,000 asking price.

“There’s strong interest from the hospitality sector,” he says, “particularly from people who know the island and have visited The Jolly in the past.” The pub, which is being sold as a going concern, comes with 79 sq m of overhead living accommodation, including kitchen/dining/living, three bedrooms and a bathroom. There’s additional double attic space to the rear of the pub. Mr O’Driscoll said a new owner might use it as an AirBnB or to “Live above the shop/pub”.

The bar itself, a 160 sq m premises with 30 covers and scope for more in the sunroom , consists of a bar, lounge room, library, sun room, a fully equipped commercial kitchen, toilets, keg room, a utility yard and storage area. Out front is a paved terrace area on two levels taking full advantage of the spectacular view, To the rear, is a large sheltered beer garden which Mr O’Driscoll said could be covered in “for use in the event of overflow”.

While tourism on the island is largely seasonal, the pub is supported by locals: Sherkin has an all year round community of 100 residents, with many part time “locals” increasing the numbers and a cohort of Art Students who study for their fully accredited degree, in conjunction with TUD Dublin.

Day trippers to the island can avail of a regular ferry service, which runs 10 times a day this time of year, with an expanded service during peak summer season. The island, where the only shop closed about 10 years ago, gets daily deliveries by ferry from Fields Supervalu in Skibbereen and a ro-ro (roll-on, roll-off) ferry can transport a car. Children living on the island travel by ferry to school on the mainland.

Mr O'Driscoll said there's been "great interest since it was listed, both local and overseas".

"The Jolly is well known beyond these shores," the agent said, adding that "It's a real fixture on the island and it has massive potential"