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The site comprising Quinn's pub and the vacant land in Drumcondra The Journal

Land earmarked for apartments beside iconic Quinn's pub to be listed on derelict sites register

There are currently plans to build student accommodation at the site.

DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL has told the developer of the Quinn’s pub site in Drumcondra that land once earmarked for apartments beside the famous drinking spot will be declared derelict in the coming weeks.

The council has notified Discipulo Developments Limited that it intends to add the site at 48B-50A on the Lower Drumcondra Road to the derelict sites register.

The company is part-owned by restaurateur Jay Bourke, and is currently redeveloping Quinn’s following a failed attempt to develop a build-to-rent apartment complex and shops on the site in 2021.

Last year, Dublin City Council extended permission for the construction of a two- to four-storey building for student accommodation at the site beside the pub instead.

The site was previously home to a betting shop and a fast food restaurant, which have since been demolished.

However, construction of student accommodation on the land has not yet commenced, and the council issued a notice to Discipulo this week notifying the company that it would be added to the Derelict Sites Register.

Each local authority keeps a register of such sites, which comprises a list of addresses of sites that are subject to the annual levy of 7% of their market value.

The levy continues to apply until the site is no longer deemed derelict while unpaid levies attract interest of 1.25% per month.

If necessary, local authorities can take the landowner to court to recover this amount or compulsorily purchase the site from its owner.

The sites are also publicly listed on local authority websites.

IMG_9975 The site as seen from Saint Alphonsus Avenue The Journal The Journal

In 2021, Discipulo sought to demolish the pub and adjoining buildings on the entire site, but the council ruled that the pub, which was once owned by the bankrupt billionaire businessman Seán Quinn, was “a building of architectural and social significance”.

Discipulo had claimed the development would bring an existing inaccessible site back into productive use for both residential and retail purposes.

It appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanála but was again refused permission to demolish the pub in 2022.

The company has since sought external investors to renovate the pub with a view to re-opening it early in 2025.

Quinn’s was placed on the market in 2019 by the liquidators of IBRC, the former Anglo Irish Bank with an asking price of €2m.

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    Mute Cal Mooney
    Favourite Cal Mooney
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    Oct 7th 2011, 2:25 PM

    Emmmmmmmmmmmmmm A recognition ???? For all the people forced to emmigrate, why not give them a right to vote … that would be recognising them as citizens … the same way as recognized democracies in this world do …
    USA, UK, Poland, Lithuania, all recognize their citizens living abroad ….
    Some folks dont think that Irish people should be allowed to vote if they are forced to emmigrate due to economic circumstances because they do not pay tax in this country on election day. All right thinking people recognize that if you live in a true democracy, you are not afraid to allow your citizens to vote no matter where they live. GIVE THE IRISH THE RIGHT TO VOTE… That is a recognition in itself, instead of sucking up to non-Irish citizens and being hypcritical.

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    Mute David Donnelly
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    Oct 7th 2011, 1:26 PM

    I to am giving away recognition certificates for outstanding work, just send me a small fee of €40 plus p&p and you could be the proud owner of a david recognition certificate.

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    Mute Adam Magari
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    Oct 7th 2011, 12:52 PM

    Merit badges? Is this really what the country needs at present? Talk about an ideas free zone.

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    Mute Pete Gibson
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    Oct 7th 2011, 12:11 PM

    Aren’t all those sport and arty stars already sucking the taxpayer dry with "honours".????

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    Mute Trevor Nolan
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    Oct 7th 2011, 11:39 AM

    Good luck to him! I certainly hope he can keep his promise for his 2016 deadline.

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    Mute Dermot Mc Loughlin
    Favourite Dermot Mc Loughlin
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    Oct 7th 2011, 7:28 PM

    So much for transparent government with no divulgence to the public on what was discussed, god knows what plotting is going on.

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    Mute Gerard Wyer
    Favourite Gerard Wyer
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    Oct 8th 2011, 6:07 PM

    Eamon Gilmore’s ‘recognition’ system is a sad joke, does he really expect the Irish Diaspora to give a dig-out to a country that abandoned them the moment they set foot outside of the country?
    The idea that people will be given a certificate and a chance to meet one of the politicians responsible for ruining this country is just embarrassing.
    Why not simply refer members of the Diaspora to the BBC who run a very similar and successful scheme which rewards participants with a ‘Blue Peter badge’ ?

    Or alternatively the government could actually start to engage with the Diaspora in a sensible and serious way by giving them a vote in Presidential elections, which will help to promote a genuine and active interest in Ireland.

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