Rugby stars’ pub is set for a conversion
BELLAMY’S in Ballsbridge is to get a trendy overhaul as its new owners employ a top pub designer to refurbish the premises.
Noel Anderson, along with his rugby partners Jamie Heaslip, Rob and Dave Kearney and Sean O’Brien, will be given the keys for the pub at the end of this month.
They are spending €300,000 on doing up the landmark Dublin pub, which is in the heart of rugby territory. Noel has enlisted the designer behind the Grafton Lounge, which he also owns, and House on Leeson Street, which is owned by Alan Clancy.
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, Noel Anderson said he was looking forward to toasting his new venture. ‘Our plan is to close Bellamy’s almost immediately and get started on creating an exciting new pub in Ballsbridge. We’ll definitely raise a pint in The Grafton Lounge tonight, and the guys – Rob, Dave, Jamie and Sean – will be thrilled to hear the news. Roll on September, when we can throw open the doors in time for the new rugby season.’
The four internationals teamed up with Anderson earlier this year to buy the pub, which is a stone’s throw from the Aviva Stadium. It is understood that the consortium paid more than €1m for the pub.
Since taking over the Grafton Lounge, which was formerly Eddie Irvine’s Cocoon Bar, Noel has transformed it, making it one of the capital’s most popular venues.
It is the first business venture for O’Brien while Heaslip has a share in Bear Restaurant in South William Street with Jo Macken. And the Kearney brothers have just signed a two-year contract with the National Dairy Council to advertise Irish milk.