'It's not true,' says Christy of rumours Niall is to buy Danny Byrne's

The owner of Danny Byrne’s in Mullingar – one of 1D star Niall Horan’s favourite haunts – has laughed off rumours this week that the talented teen wants to buy into the business.

“They’re all after reading it in The Star,” said hotelier Christy Maye, on Monday, reacting to the claims that Niall is interested either in buying Danny Byrne’s, or investing in the business.

“We’re flattered that someone with international world success is being mentioned in connection with Danny Byrne’s, but it’s not true. We’ve had no talks with anyone about it,” he said.

Amused by the rumour when I spoke to him yesterday, Christy joked that if Niall or Simon Cowell is interested in talking business, he’d be happy to see his limousine pull up outside.

However, on a more serious note, he said that the pub is not actually for sale, and in fact, he is currently in the throes of planning a €1m expansion aimed at reopening the nightclub space upstairs.

Christy, owner also of another of Niall’s favourite stopping-off points, The Greville Arms, holds young Master Horan in high regard, pointing out that the Horan family have long been customers of the hotel, and that whenever Niall is in, despite his great success and his great renown, he remains the same likeable down-to-earth young man.

Not just that, but after his recent series of Point Depot gigs, Niall hosted a private party attended by “some of his bandmates” in Mullingar.

“We didn’t say that because naturally we have to respect his privacy,” points out Christy, who went on to point out that great credit is due to Niall for his achievements.

“I’d like to compliment him on his wonderful worldwide success,” he said, pointing out that the band is now the biggest in the world, and a hit everywhere from America to Australia.