All aboard in Cobh for €600,000 sale of iconic Mauretania
Mauretania, Cobh
ONE of the busiest small pubs in Cobh, in pole position to attract passengers disembarking from cruise liners, is on the market for €600,000.
The Mauretania, named in honour of the running mate of the luckless cruise ship the Lusitania, is a four-storey, over basement property in a prime harbour-facing spot at the corner of historic Casement Square.
In the ownership for the past 25 years of local man John Griffin it comes to market as he plans to retire.
Previously called the Rotunda due to its distinctive circular shape, it’s a striking, double-fronted Victorian property with sweeping harbour views from every floor.
The bar area extends over the ground and first floors, with accommodation on the two upper levels. The cellar basement is fully functioning and is used to hold kegs.
The ground floor of the pub retains a traditional look and has quite a collection of naval caps on show behind the counter, donated by visiting naval officers, mostly off American warships.
The officer’s rank was detectable by the amount of “scrambled egg” on the peak - slang for the golden oak leaf embellishment that decorated it. At the Mauretania, the hat with the most scrambled egg belonged to an officer off the USS Ronald Reagan, a nuclear-powered supercarrier.
US visitors are regular customers in the bar and Mr Griffin said the Mauretania is known on the liners as a good pub to visit. He regularly hires musicians to entertain and has a pavement licence, which is well-utilised in the summer season.
The entire building is licensed and there’s a cocktail bar on the second floor.
The circular room has views in all directions and Mr Griffin has hired it out frequently for private functions.
Selling the 2,400 sq ft premises in Johanna Murphy of Johanna Murphy & Sons and she said it “could be ideal for a young couple looking to run a pub and live overhead”.
More than 120 cruise liners visit Cobh between April and October each year and Mr Griffin said the Mauretania is “at the heart of the activity”.
Ms Murphy thinks the buyer is likely to be familiar with the level of improvement Cobh has shown in recent years (eg the successful redevelopment of nearby Spike Island as a visitor destination, various Titanic-related experiences etc) and with much more in the pipeline. Plans for a new public realm include an overhaul of Casement Square and neighbouring Pearse Square, with proposals for everyday street dining and a new stage for community events.
Transport links to Cobh continue to improve. A regular rail commuter service connects with Cork city, as does Cobh Connects bus service.