GAA star bar owners set to expand Magherafelt venue
A Magherafelt bar owned by All Ireland-winning Gaelic football brothers is seeking permission for an extension.
The owners of Downey’s, H J Downey Ltd, look likely get the go-ahead for a revamp which will see them extend their bar into the neighbouring property on Queen’s Street.
Led by brothers Seamus, Henry and John Downey, the company also owns The Thirsty Goat, the Kitchen Bar, McHugh’s and Hell Cat Maggie’s Belfast, as well as The Thirsty Goat and Metro Bar in Derry.
In 1993, Seamus and Henry were members of the only Derry GAA team to win an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.
In 2013 the company embarked on a major expansion buying six of Belfast’s best-known pubs for more than £4m, after the former owner of Botanic Inns went into administration.
The location for their latest expansion is 16 to 30 Queen’s Street in Magherafelt, a two-storey building with the existing Downey’s on the ground floor, along with a takeaway Curry House next door. There is also an apartment and office on the first floor.
The full planning application is for permission for “alteration and extension of existing public house and associated change of use of ground floor hot food carry-out to public house, creation of enclosed ground floor beer garden area and change of use from first floor apartment to office”.
Two letters of objection were submitted from the owner of a property next door, who said that increased noise would impact on tenants in his flats.
However a report from a development management officer has since recommended the planning application for approval. It will come before Mid Ulster Council for a final decision next Tuesday.
