South County Douglas Pub Sold for €2m

The South County, a prominent traditional pub located in the Douglas suburb of Cork city, has been sold in a transaction valued at approximately €2 million.

The landmark premises had been owned and operated by the O’Connor family since the 1970s. The business was acquired by a well-known publican who already owns several other licensed premises.

The transaction was handled off-market by Sean McCarthy of ERA Downey McCarthy. The sale follows a period of strong demand for hospitality properties within the Cork region.

Ownership and Operations

The South County was run by husband-and-wife team Tom and Maebh O’Connor. At the time of the sale, the establishment employed approximately 30 staff members.

While established as a traditional Irish pub, the business developed a reputation for hospitality, food, and live music, which included hosting tour groups, gigs, and music sessions.

Regarding the identity of the buyer, speculation that Paul Montgomery—who purchased The Wilton bar at the start of 2026—was the acquirer has been dismissed. Mr. Montgomery confirmed to the Irish Examiner that he is not the buyer.

Cork Hospitality Market Trends

The sale of The South County is the latest in a series of high-profile pub transactions across Cork city in recent months, indicating a robust market for licensed premises.

Other recent notable deals in the area include:

• The Grange Bar, a family-run premises in Grange, which sold for approximately €1 million.
• Paddy the Farmer’s on Summerhill South, where the owners accepted an offer of approximately €1.9 million for a property that includes nine overhead apartments.

These transactions reflect continued investor interest in the Cork hospitality sector, particularly for established, family-run landmarks with strong local and tourist appeal.