Historic Downpatrick hotel is part of £4m pubs buy out

Historic Downpatrick hotel is part of £4m pubs buy out

16 October 2013

DENVIR’S Hotel in Downpatrick has new owners.

The iconic English Street premises, widely recognised as one of the oldest hostelries in Ireland, has been purchased by Derry brothers and former county GAA stars Henry and Seamus Downey.

In addition to purchasing Denvir’s, the Downey brothers have also snapped up a number of leading pubs in the Belfast area after offering £4m for a number of premises once owned by Kurkova Ltd, formerly part of the Botanic Inns portfolio.

The Botanic Inns Group — comprising Botanic Inns Ltd. and Kurkova Ltd. — went into administration earlier this year.

Pubs in Botanic Inns Ltd. were acquired by the Horatio Group just a week after administrators KPMG were appointed by the Ulster Bank.

Denvir’s Hotel was not bought by the Horatio Group which is headed by Downpatrick man, Stephen Magorrian, a former managing director of Botanic Inns.

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has welcomed confirmation that Denvir’s Hotel has been sold, safeguarding the future of the Downpatrick business.

She said the news will be welcomed by the staff and the hotel’s many customers.

“The sale of Denvir’s represents a boost for the local economy and I hope to welcome the new owners to Downpatrick and South Down. They can be assured of a warm and strong welcome to St. Patrick’s Country,” said the MP.

“My door is always open to provide any assistance with future investment in this well known town centre hotel in Downpatrick.”

Downpatrick councillor Dermot Curran, who met with KPMG officials several months ago, said he is delighted Denvir’s has a new owner, and said the hotel can now look forward to the future with confidence.

He added: “Denvir’s is the only hotel we have in Downpatrick and it plays a key role at the heart of the town’s economy. While it may only have a small number of rooms, it plays a very important role and is a very popular venue.”