Swords landmark Star Bar and Lounge achieves close to €1.25m asking price

ONE of the longest-established pubs in Swords, Co Dublin has been sold by CBRE’s John Ryan for a figure which is understood to be close to its €1.25m asking price.

The well-known Star Bar and Lounge was sold on the instructions of its owners, Ray and Maria Taylor, following their decision to retire from the licensed trade. The premises occupies a prominent corner trading position on Main Street in Swords, directly across from the offices of Fingal County Council.

The landmark pub had been operated by several generations of the Taylor family since 1902 and over the years it has been been expanded and upgraded to cater for Swords’ growing local population.

Swords is the seventh-largest urban area in the country, with a population in the region of 49,000 according to the 2016 Census and forms part of the Dublin’s immediate commuter belt. Dublin city centre is just 13km away while Dublin Airport is close by.

The licensed premises, which extends to approximately 1,200 sqm of accommodation, comprises a ground floor traditional-style licensed premises with a modern lounge bar and catering kitchen to the rear.

Overhead, the property consists of a contemporary nightclub and a games lounge while in the basement there is an extensive cellar and cold room. Outside, there is a rear yard with delivery access.

CBRE’s John Ryan said the sale of the Star Bar presented an excellent opportunity to acquire a long-established licensed premises with significant business potential. While Ryan refused to be drawn on the price achieved, market sources said it had come close to the €1.25m asking price.