It had been on the market for several years as family searched for new custodians
Aherne’s Luxury Townhouse and Restaurant, Youghal(Image: Brian Gleeson Property )
After the sad news that one of its best-loved pubs will be closing its doors at the end of this month, there is a more positive outlook for the hospitality trade in Youghal this morning with a major announcement for its most famous restaurant.
The award-winning Aherne’s Townhouse & Seafood Bar, for so long, a beacon of great food and fantastic hospitality in East Cork, had been on the market for nearly four years, with the asking price for the business cut by over a half from the original €2m in 2022.
Over the past few years, through very tough times for the hospitality sector across Munster, the family running Aherne’s, headed by Gaye and David Fitzgibbon, have worked hard to keep the business going as a very attractive opportunity for new owners to come in and take it forward.
Now the family who have had Aherne’s over three generations since 1923, have confirmed they are finally stepping back, with a well-earned retirement beckoning, as new owners are set to take over from Wednesday, July 15th.
Those new owners are another couple, John and Julie Finn, who are well known in the restaurant trade in Cork, as the couple behind Finns’ Farmcut in Kinsale and previously Dillon’s in Timoleague, a place that was a bit of a nirvana for people holidaying in the Courtmac area down the years.
Saying a fond farewell to their friends and regulars, the soon to be former owners said: “After many wonderful years, Gaye & David will retire and pass the baton to new ownership. Aherne’s as you know it will continue trading up to and including Saturday 11th July.
“John & Julie Finn will take over Aherne’s and will open on Wednesday 15th July. We are delighted that the same dedicated team will remain working at Aherne’s under the new Ownership.
“We would like to thank everyone in our wonderful team, customers, friends & suppliers who have been part of our story.
“We know Aherne’s will be in great hands and we are especially pleased that the familiar team you have all come to know will remain.
Until then, we are here from Wednesday to Sunday and would love to welcome you. Share a meal, revisit a favourite memory and help us celebrate this special chapter.”
Gaye, David & all the team”
The townhouse is in the top-class accommodation guide to Ireland, the famous Blue Book and it looks like Ahern’s of Youghal is now about to open a new chapter in it’s storied history.