New lease of life for former landmark Ballina pub

LANDMARK Ballina property Gaughan's pub is set to get a new lease of life.

The former pub premises on O'Rahilly Street, and Gaughan's flat on James Connolly Street, are to be redeveloped as a high quality tourism and hospitality destination.

A planning application has been submitted by Mark FitzGerald, who resides in Dublin but has a long association with Mayo, holidaying in the Pontoon area since the late '70s and now living for significant parts of the year in nearby Terrybaun.

He is seeking to develop the property into a licensed restaurant and guest apartments.

The development has been designed by the award-winning Paul Keogh Architects who have won many awards, including for their work on the regeneration of Dublin's Temple Bar.

A report submitted to planners at Mayo County Council sets out how the design intention is to provide a contemporary dining experience akin to the high successful Airdfield Cafe, Dundrum, and the Boathouse in Shrewsbury, both designed by PKA.

A vaulted rear dining space will add a 'wow' factor to the overall development.

The apartments will be accessed independently of the restaurant and they will create high-quality tourism accommodation for short-term visits, encouraging tourists to stay in the town centre.

Overall, the remodelling will express new interventions in a contemporary design idiom while protecting the character and retaining the values of the original premises intact.

It was pointed out that bringing the popular landmark premises back into active use will be a significant improvement to both the local streetscape as well as the vitality and vibrancy of Ballina town centre generally.