Local auctioneer sells Tyrrellspass pub

The sale of one of Tyrrellspass's best known public houses, Claffey's, took place at a well-attended public auction in the Greville Arms Hotel last Friday, fetching the sum of €280,000. Bidding was slow to proceed to begin with. Auctioneer Richard Cleary initially requested an opening bid of €300,000, but eventually accepted an opening bid of €150,000 and almost immediately the bidding got underway. The second bidder increased the opening bid by €10,000, which was quickly followed by three further bids of €10,000, each were gradually exchanged by the same two bidders. A third bidder then entered the fray at €190,000, but by the time the bidding reached €220,000, there were only two left standing in contention. After further multiples of €2k, €3k €5k and €10k bids were rapidly exchanged, the best and final bid was eventually at €280,000. At this stage the auctioneer requested a quick recess with solicitor Eddie Tynan and the two executors. Upon their return, the property was placed on the market. Despite requests for further bids, there were no additional bids and the auctioneer eventually dropped the hammer to a local from the Tyrrellspass area. Auctioneer Richard Cleary, of Property Partners Richard Cleary in Tullamore, said he was delighted with the result: "We had several potential purchasers at last Friday's auction, but most of them never got a chance to bid at all" he stated. "We were hoping to achieve somewhere between the €265k to €285k mark, so the executors are very happy with the result, especially when taking the current property climate into account," commented Mr. Cleary. "We had a great turnout for the auction, the purchaser was a local man from the Tyrrellspass area and he seemed very happy with his acquisition, I wish him every success, I think it will represent a shrewd investment in years to come," finished the auctioneer.