Con's new owner 'looking forward to working alongside local businesses, suppliers and the larger community'

The new owner of Con's Bar says that he and his team are “looking working alongside local businesses, suppliers, and the larger community of Mullingar”.

In a post on social media yesterday, new owner Alan Clancy, who is a native of Clonmellon, said: “We find ourselves very fortunate to get the opportunity to take over this well established bar.

“Con’s Bar has been at the centre of the pub scene in Mullingar for many years and we hope it will continue to be so.

“The team are looking forward to working alongside local businesses, suppliers, and the larger community of Mullingar.

“We cannot wait to welcome talented Irish trad musicians and music lovers alike for this year's Fleadh Cheoil.

“A special thank you to Con, Joan, and Conor Gilsenan. We wish them all the best for the future, and look forward to seeing them on the other side of the counter very soon.

“Wishing all the businesses in Mullingar a very successful Fleadh.”

Earlier this month, the Gilsenan family announced that they had sold the popular pub to Mr Clancy, “ a good Westmeath man”. They also thanked their “brilliant team, our loyal customers, friends, suppliers, tradespeople, fellow publicans and neighbours for their friendship and support”.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to have looked after each and every one of our customers, and we leave with a life’s worth of memories.”

The pub's new owner is a prominent figure in the hospitality sector and operates a string of bars, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs across the country, including the House venues in Dublin, Belfast and Limerick, 37 Dawson Street in Dublin, the Oyster Tavern in Cork, and Larry and Nora's in Navan, which is named after his late parents.

Last November, he and golfer Shane Lowry acquired the building that housed the Tullamore Dew Visitor centre in the heart of Tullamore. Their plans to transform the historic building into a cafe, gastropub and music venue were given the green light by Offaly County Council in May.