{"id":530243,"date":"2026-07-03T00:08:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T00:08:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/530243\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T00:08:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T00:08:15","slug":"different-folks-sought-as-one-of-kinsales-best-known-licensed-premises-hits-the-market","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/530243\/","title":{"rendered":"Different folks sought as one of Kinsale’s best-known licensed premises hits the market"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of Kinsale\u2019s oldest and best-known licensed premises, The Folk House, has been launched to market with an asking price of \u20ac1.5m.<\/p>\n

The landmark former pub and nightclub, which includes substantial overhead accommodation and potential for a range of commercial\/mixed use purposes, subject to planning approval, is being sold by a Dublin-based developer. The property has already generated strong interest from hospitality operators in Kinsale.<\/p>\n

A feasibility study commissioned by the vendor indicates potential for future residential development, with scope for six to 10 residential units. The part two-storey, part three-storey 17,000sq ft terraced premises currently has 27 en suite bedrooms across the first and second floors.<\/p>\n

A second option would be to retain the bar and accommodation, while scrapping the nightclub element \u2014 formerly known as Bacchus \u2014 and replacing it with a more substantial hotel reception area, while introducing a small function room for private events.<\/p>\n

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News that the property on Guardwell St is for sale has already prompted a strong reaction on Facebook, with former patrons sharing nostalgic memories of \u201ca great bar and live music venue\u201d, while expressing hopes that a new owner might revive its live music tradition. Among the memories shared was one former customer recalling spending his honeymoon there in the \u201970s, another remembered attending a Boomtown Rats gig at the Folk House, while yet another recalled how Michael Frawley, who ran the business with his wife Rose for a period in the \u201980s, would play Friday night matches on a video on Saturdays, with strict instructions on one occasion to the bar man not to reveal the score. \u201cI won\u2019t, but you won\u2019t see any goals,\u201d came the witty response.<\/p>\n

Although the premises closed during covid and never re-opened, it was for many decades a popular fixture of Kinsale\u2019s hospitality scene and indeed it\u2019s been an institution in the town for almost 300 years. During the late 20th and early 21st century, it established its reputation as a live music venue and was also known for its extensive whiskey, beer, and craft drinks selection.<\/p>\n

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The Frawleys took over in 1987 before later moving onto another well-known local venue, The White House. Company registration records show previous owners included Denis and Geraldine Kieran, whose ownership was reflected in signage over the door. It changed hands again in the mid-2000s \u2014 reportedly for between \u20ac2-3m \u2014 and has been in the ownership of a Dublin-based developer since about 2007.<\/p>\n

The property is being brought to market via commercial agents Knight Frank who describe it as \u201coccupying a strategic town-centre position … superbly located within one of Ireland\u2019s most established and high-performing coastal destinations\u201d.<\/p>\n

While the property is currently not trading it is being sold with the benefit of a seven day ordinary publican\u2019s licence.<\/p>\n

Knight Frank agent Amanda Isherwood said the property\u2019s central positioning \u201censures excellent accessibility, high visibility and sustained demand, underpinned by Kinsale\u2019s limited supply of centrally located commercial premises\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts proximity to Cork City, Cork Airport, and the wider Wild Atlantic Way further enhances its appeal from both an operational and investment perspective,\u201d the agent added.<\/p>\n

Knight Frank\u2019s phone lines were busy from the moment the \u201cFor Sale\u201d sign went up.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s early days yet and we can\u2019t say for certain if the buyer will be a private investor or someone in the hospitality industry, but it will probably appeal to both,\u201d Ms Isherwood said. \u201cBut we have had one serious enquiry for an established hospitality operator in Kinsale.\u201d<\/p>\n

The agent added that the location represented \u201ca rare opportunity to acquire a property with enduring trading potential, strong asset fundamentals and exposure to one of Ireland\u2019s most resilient and desirable tourism destinations\u201d.<\/p>\n

Details: E: amanda.isherwood@ie.knightfrank.com<\/a> E: david.mccarthy@ie.knightfrank.com<\/a> T: 021 233 7810<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of Kinsale\u2019s oldest and best-known licensed premises, The Folk House, has been launched to market with an…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":530244,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[72,31915,61,60],"class_list":["post-530243","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-business","tag-commercial-property-munster-to-let","tag-ie","tag-ireland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530243","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=530243"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/530243\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/530244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=530243"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=530243"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=530243"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}