Swift sale hope for movie pub
A PUB made famous by Oscar-nominated film The Banshees of Insisherin and loved by pop superstar Taylor Swift is up for sale.
Film buffs may have to fight off interest from the Shake It Off Singer, who revealed she’d love to visit the fictional JJ Devine’s pub if it was ever rebuilt.
The pub was destined for the scrapheap when filming in Achill Island, off Co Mayo, finished.
But publican Luke Mee retrieved it and rebuilt it at the back of Mee’s Pub in Kilkerrin, Co Galway.
Now it’s on the market for €400,000 and auctioneers have already had more than 10 inquiries.
Auctioneer Ivan Connaughton said: “I’m expecting a call from Taylor Swift.
“She hasn’t been yet, but maybe she’d have an interest in buying it, I’m sure she could raise the funds.”
Set during the Irish Civil War, the film followed the relationship between Padraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson). It was in the pub where Colm told Padraic he no longer wanted to be his friend.
Mee, alongside his sister Kathleen and her partner Pat Igoe, transported the entire set and rebuilt it as an exact replica of its on-screen counterpart.
Since being rebuilt, the boozer has become a shrine for film fans.
It even comes with a newlythatched roof and restored walls.
Adding to the pub’s allure is Holly, the resident donkey, who provides companionship and comfort to patrons in a manner that echoes the film’s own four-legged character.
The pub has become a local landmark and a magnet for tourists and Mr Connaughton says offers buyers a chance to take on a ‘going concern’.
He added: “There’s been over ten inquiries already. “The pub and the shop are trading well, there’s enough room for development too. If somebody wanted to make it into a restaurant, it wouldn’t be too difficult.”