What is believed to have been a record price for a Dublin bar, slightly over £5.3 million (#6.7m), was paid last week for The Comet on Swords Road, Dublin 9. The business had a turnover in the year ending February last of £2.5 million (#3.2m) of which £774,000 (#982,777) was accounted for by off-licence sales.

The previous highest price for a Dublin bar was £5.1 million (#6.5m) paid last year by Louis FitzGerald for The Baggot Inn. Bidding at Morrissey's auction opened at £3 million (#3.8m) and after eight bids it was withdrawn at £5.25 million (#6.7m). It was sold in subsequent negotiations to Michael and Colette O'Mara, owners of The Red Parrot bar at Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1.

The Comet was sold for the Newman family, who built the bar in 1953 and successfully traded there since then. The Comet's 5,500 sq ft premises include an upstairs lounge with a separate entrance. The adjoining off-licence business was also sold.

The Newmansown The Goose Tavern (known also as The Pilot) on Stiles Road in Clontarf. In 1989, they sold The Viscount on Swords Road in Whitehall for £750,000 (#954,300). The two Newman brothers, who founded the business, handled much of the housebuilding in the Whitehall area.