'Lots of interest' as landmark Moate pub goes on the market

One of the best-known pubs in Moate went on the market last week for a listed price of €350,000.

The Auld Shebeen pub and nightclub, on the town's Main Street, has attracted enquiries from people considering it for a variety of possible uses, according to selling agent Donna Hynes of REA Hynes.

"There has been a very good level of interest in it," Ms Hynes told the Westmeath Independent this week.

"Some people are looking it with the intention of running the pub and nightclub. Some are looking at it for potential conversion to residential accommodation, and there would be others looking at it for office space use because it's in such a prominent location."

The Auld Shebeen changed hands nine years ago, when it was sold for €200,000 at an auction in Athlone's Creggan Court Hotel in November 2012.

The owners leased out the premises and it continued to operate as a pub until the start of the pandemic, in March 2020.

Ms Hynes explained that the strong level of interest in the property meant it was likely to end up being sold through an online auction at some stage in the coming weeks.

The premises includes the 'old world'-style bar and lounge area, covering over 1,750 square feet, and a 4,400 square foot nightclub with a number of bars, dance floor, balcony bar area and external smoking area.

In addition, there is a commercial kitchen included in the sale, with a large garden to the rear of the premises and storage sheds.

The building also incorporates residential accommodation, over two floors, which is in need of some renovation.