Popular Dublin pub The Long Stone to close after 264 years

The venue, located on Townsend street, will be demolished in the new year

The Long Stone pub, which was established in 1754, is to close its doors after 264 years in operation. The venue, which was popular among Trinity students, is to be demolished in the coming year. It is understood that the closure is part of a major city centre development.

The venue is being demolished alongside Apollo House, which will be replaced by an 11-storey development. The structure is to be developed by Marlet, who paid €56m for the cleared site upon which Apollo House stood.

The demolition will also include Hawkins House, which alongside Apollo House has been recognised as one of the ugliest and most disliked buildings in the city. Hawkins House was formerly the headquarters of the Department of Health.

The pub will remain open until December 22 before its 15 staff are transferred to other pubs under the ownership of the Murray group. The group have owned the pub for the past 11 years.

The Long Stone’s manager Dan Ryan spoke to the Irish Times and noted that “we got to know a lot of people around here who were good people”. He added that “we knew this day was coming, but when it arrives it is always different. You always feel a bit sad”.

Ryan concluded by noting that The Long Stone was a “unique pub” which would be “sadly missed by us and our customers”.

“People loved it, locals and tourist alike. The sale and the redevelopment of this block was always on the cards over the last couples of years, and now the that day has arrived.”

Trinity students recently saw popular yoghurt shop Mooch alongside food outlets Lemon and Sprout close their doors. Nassau Street has also seen its Spar shut down, with development expected to begin on the now vacant properties next year.

Peter Kelly

Peter Kelly is the current Assistant Editor of Trinity News. He is a Junior Sophister Law student, and a former Deputy News Editor.