Landmark pub Viaduct Inn has ‘lots of potential’
One of Cork’s most iconic pubs has recently changed hands and the new owners have major development plans for the property.
The Viaduct Inn on the Old Bandon Road is a landmark pub and restaurant adjacent to the famous landmark after which it is named — the Chetwynd Viaduct, the Victorian-era railway viaduct that carried trains on its single line from Cork to West Cork until 1961.
Cliste Hospitality has bought the pub and is set to refurb it.
“The Viaduct Inn is a significant hospitality footprint with lots of potential,” said Paul Fitzgerald, CEO of Cliste Hospitality.
He added: “An impressive property in a great location, we are looking forward to investing a considerable sum in a complete redesign and refurbishment and opening the doors to our first customers later this spring. It is Cliste Hospitality’s intention to operate the premises as a dining destination and food hall, rather than solely as a pub venue, although the drinks element remains an important pillar of the offering. Our plan is to develop a major food and drinks destination on the gateway to West Cork.”
“Our concept at The Viaduct Inn is that of a modern Irish brasserie,” added the Cliste Hospitality CEO, “a food and drink hall with menus changing seasonally that will become a destination dining option both for the local Bishopstown and wider Cork population and also for commuters to West Cork.”
Cliste Hospitality offers a full suite of consultancy and management services, including management services of hotels and hospitality businesses, project management services and bespoke consultancy.
Now employing 30 staff, with offices in Cork and Dublin, Cliste Hospitality management has invested in establishing a best-in-class senior operational team ensuring the long-term sustainability of the portfolio. One of the largest operators of hotels in the Republic of Ireland, the group has a record of successful acquisitions.
In parallel with its hotel acquisition strategy Cliste Hospitality is keen to explore bespoke hospitality opportunities that will arise as the Covid-19 recovery takes hold in the hospitality sector and in the broader Irish economy, with the Viaduct acquisition being part of this strategy.