Former O’Neill’s pub site to be remarketed by council

The former O'Neill's pub site, located between Sean Costello Street and Mardyke Street in the centre of the town, is to be readvertised in the hope of attracting interest from prospective developers.

A core feature of the redeveloped town centre public realm, the site was initially placed on the market with real estate company Avison Young in May 2022 but a sale has not materialised, and Cllr Aengus O'Rourke has been calling on Athlone-Moate Municipal District to "move on a Plan B" for the site should a private sale not happen.

"Is there a Plan B in place for this site? Will the District make another attempt to sell the site privately now that the works around the area are completed and it is completely refurbished? It really is an eyesore to those who visit the town," Cllr O'Rourke said.

Cllr John Dolan stated that there had been "a lot of public money spent in the vicinity of the site", adding that it would be a "sin to leave the site idle" following the refurbishment works."If Plan A is not working we need move on to Plan B immediately. The site is taking away from the works which have been completed around it," Cllr Dolan said.

Cllr Paul Hogan said that the site was "absolutely essential" to develop in the heart of the town centre.

"The site provides an excellent development opportunity and has a lot of positive factors going for it. If Plan A does not work out, then we should move to Plan B immediately and as a District look for a developer to come in and redevelop the site. We have to get moving on this site as a matter of urgency," Cllr Hogan said.

Town Mayor Cllr Frankie Keena also called for the temporary removal of the hoarding in place at the location which he said would allow for "one of the many fantastic artists in our town to paint a mural on the gable end wall on site".

"The removal of the hoarding would also allow any potential buyer see what is available to them for development," Cllr Keena said.

Explaining the District's decision, Director of Services Jackie Finne said the site was to be "remarketed for a short period of six weeks" in the hope that interested parties would now come forward.

"We have engaged Avison Young once again to remarket the site and hopefully there will be interaction with interest parties. The site is in a strategic location and the area all around it has now hugely improved," Ms Finney said.

Hoping that there will be more substantive interest in the site, Ms Finney said that its potential future development would "enhance the street".

"We believe that there will be interest in the site, but if this is not the case we will look to Plan B and as a District, market the location for development. We don't want to sit on the site any further at this stage," Ms Finney said.

The former O'Neill's pub and adjoining Finlay Auctioneering premises were both destroyed by fire in December 2010, and have remained derelict ever since.