SHUT STRAND TO BE PUT UP FOR SALE
Hotel has closed for the first time in a generation
THE STRAND HOTEL in Bray closed its doors last Sunday evening, the first time in a generation that the iconic building has shut.
The business, famously a former residence of Oscar Wilde, will be going on the market shortly.
The family-owned pub and restaurant was struck by tragedy in November when one of its owners, Gary Cafferkey, died suddenly. Gary’s wife Sandra subsequently made the decision to close. In an announcement made on social media, they said that the decision was made ‘with regret’.
THE STRAND HOTEL in Bray closed its doors for good last Sunday evening, for the first time in a generation.
The business, famously a former residence of Oscar Wilde, will be going on the market shortly.
The family-owned pub and restaurant was struck by tragedy in November when one of its owners, Gary Cafferkey, died suddenly.
Gary’s wife Sandra has subsequently made the decision to close. In an announcement made on social media prior to the closure, they said that the decision was made ‘with regret’.
‘We would like to thank all our customers for their support over the past two years and especially after the loss of Gary,’ the Facebook notice said.
There was an outpouring of support and commiseration at the news. ‘An end of an era. Such fond memories. Good luck to all the family,’ wrote one local woman.
Plenty of people made their way to the Strand over the weekend to mark the end of an era. There was live music on Friday and Saturday night, before the bar was locked up on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Significant refurbishment works were carried out at the premises over the past months.
Sandra and Gary purchased the Strand Road premises from the Fitzsimons family in 2015.
John and Margaret Fitzsimons owned the Strand for 37 years, before they and their children served their final drinks there.
Oscar Wilde’s parents built the iconic premises and Oscar himself inherited the house. Some of the groups and organisations associated with it over the years include Square One theatre group; Abraxas writers’ group, and the Bray Lions New Year’s Day Charities Sea Swim.