Paddy McKillen jnr agrees long-term lease on landmark Brittas Bay pub

While the business of bars, restaurants and hotels across the country remains challenged for now by the Covid-19 pandemic, developer Paddy McKillen jnr continues to expand his interests in the hospitality sector.

With indoor dining yet to make its long-awaited return, McKillen and his business partner Matt Ryan's Press Up Hospitality Group have been making the most of this week's heatwave after entering into a new long-term lease for the landmark McDaniels pub at Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow.

And while the doors of the pub itself have yet to open for business due to Covid-19 restrictions, the pair are taking full advantage of the venue’s extensive car park by populating it with food trucks from Press Up Eats’ range of brands. Wowburger, Rice Chinese, Coo Coo Indian, Double 8 Dumplings and Long Horn Creamery, and DIME Coffee, have all set up shop at McDaniels with a view to capturing the market for food and drink among beachgoers all year round.

News of the Press Up Hospitality Group's latest move comes less than one week after The Irish Times reported on the purchase by McKillen and Ryan's Oakmount of the clifftop lands and access route to the nearby Magheramore Beach.

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While the sale of the 21-acre site between Blainroe and Brittas Bay by its previous owners had raised fears in relation to the question of future public access to Magheramore, it is understood that Mr McKillen and his business partner Matt Ryan are adamant that this will not be an issue.

Oakmount secured the Magheramore site for €700,000 in an online auction presided over by agent BidX1 on June 25th last. While the amount paid represents a massive premium on the €210,000 the property had been guiding in advance of its sale, intense competition involving five parties on the day saw bids surpass the €550,000 mark. Wicklow County Council was among the unsuccessful underbidders.