Moran to sell off three pubs

Moran Hotel Group is disposing of its three Dublin pubs and says it will in future concentrate on the hotel sector.

Moran, which reported a €3.9 million operating profit in 2003, will sell the Playwright Inn in Blackrock, the Baroque in Clondalkin and the Pierhouse Hotel in Skerries by public auction at the end of April.

The group, which owns the Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin and the Silver Springs Moran Hotel, Cork, recently opened the Crown Moran Hotel, London.

The company says it is negotiating the purchase of several other "substantial" Irish hotels and is preparing to develop a second London hotel.

The sale is being handled by CB Richard Ellis Gunne at its salesroom in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.