Pubs for Sale in Limerick and Clare: Prices & Guide

If you’ve ever daydreamed about running your own pub in the west of Ireland, you might have noticed an unusual number of those daydreams becoming someone else’s reality lately. In mid-2025, six pubs across Limerick and Clare hit the market simultaneously, bringing a rare cluster of opportunities for buyers looking at the Irish hospitality sector.

Listings on MyHome.ie for pubs in Clare: 9 ·
Listings on Daft.ie for restaurants/bars/hotels in Limerick: 17 ·
Hostelries listed simultaneously in June 2025: 6 ·
Sample pub size listed in Clare: 2,906 sq ft

Six listings across two counties, one pattern: most are trading going concerns, but pricing varies sharply by location and licencing status.

Are Irish pubs profitable?

What factors affect pub profitability in Ireland?

• Location is the strongest driver — urban pubs in Limerick city generally see higher footfall than rural Clare establishments.
• Size and layout matter: Rasher Pub in Limerick offers 256 sq m of space with fixtures and fittings included (Michael Roberts Estate Agents listing).
• Whether the pub is trading or closed is critical — the Westbury Shopping Centre pub was the only closed listing among the six reported by the Limerick Leader report.
• Operational efficiency — staff costs, wholesale pricing, and energy bills — directly cut into margins.

How do Limerick and Clare pubs compare to national averages?

The batch of six pubs listed in mid-2025 gives a rare cross-section. Nuala’s Bar and Restaurant in Tuamgraney at €650,000 and Reddan’s Bar in Killaloe at €450,000 show a wide spread even within Clare. Limerick city offerings like the Black Swan and Imperial Bar were sold as going concerns (Limerick Leader report). Dublin remains the county with the highest number of pubs nationally, but the west-of-Ireland market shows active turnover.

How to value a pub in Ireland?

Key metrics used in pub valuation

• Square footage: Stritch’s Pub in Clonlara offers about 200 sq m of floor area (Irish Independent coverage).
• Annual turnover: no public figures exist for the current listings, but this is the primary metric professional valuers use.
• Licence value: Stritch’s Pub was listed at €350,000 with the seven-day licence, or €290,000 without it (Irish Independent coverage).
• Location premium: pubs in Limerick city carry higher land values than rural Clare equivalents.

Role of auctioneers and professional appraisals

Rooney Auctioneers handled the June 2025 batch of six pubs. The Limerick Leader report listed these as going concerns, meaning a professional valuation had already been done. Buyers should always commission an independent appraisal before bidding — the spread between the licence-inclusive and licence-exclusive price at Stritch’s Pub (€60,000 difference) shows how critical that piece of paper can be.

What profit does a pub make on a pint?

Gross profit per pint versus net contribution

No specific pint-profit data is publicly available for the Limerick and Clare listings, but gross profit on a pint across Irish pubs typically runs in the 60-80% range before overheads. Rasher Pub in Limerick carries annual rates of €9,450 (Michael Roberts Estate Agents listing), a fixed cost that chips away at whatever margin each pint earns.

How pint profit varies by pub type and region

Urban pubs in Limerick city likely see higher pint volumes but higher rent and rates. Rural Clare pubs may sell fewer pints but enjoy lower overheads. The LVA (Licensed Vintners Association) regularly notes that operational costs — not pint price — determine whether a pub stays in the black.

What is the most profitable type of bar?

Comparing traditional pubs, gastropubs, and sports bars

• Gastropubs: typically higher food revenue, which boosts margins but adds kitchen staff costs.
• Sports bars: strong drinks volume on match days, but quieter midweek trade.
• Traditional Irish pubs: steady locals trade, lower food operational costs.

The current Limerick and Clare listings are mostly traditional pubs and restaurants — Nuala’s Bar and Restaurant is a food-led venue, while Stritch’s Pub is drink-focused with a lounge and pool area (Irish Independent coverage).

Profitability trends in Limerick and Clare

The mix of listings — six pubs in a single batch — suggests a wave of retirements and portfolio rationalisations rather than a market in crisis. The Limerick Leader report noted that the Black Swan and Imperial Bar were being sold as going concerns, indicating established trade.

Which county in Ireland has the most pubs?

Pubs per capita in Dublin versus rural counties

Dublin has the highest number of pubs in Ireland by total count. County Clare and Limerick each maintain a significant pub presence, but rural pubs face pressure from changing demographics and the drink-driving clampdown.

How Limerick and Clare fit into the national picture

The six-pub batch of June 2025 represents a meaningful cluster for the midwest region. MyHome.ie listed seven pubs and restaurants in Clare in April 2025, while Daft.ie showed multiple hospitality properties including 18 O’Curry Street in Kilkee at €350,000 and The Hilltop Inn in Sixmilebridge. The market is active, not oversupplied.

Steps to buying a pub in Limerick or Clare

Step 1: Review current listings

Start with MyHome.ie for Clare and Daft.ie for Limerick. As of mid-2025, nine pubs were listed in Clare on MyHome.ie and 17 restaurants, bars, and hotels on Daft.ie for Limerick.

Step 2: Assess the licence

Decide whether you need a seven-day licence. Stritch’s Pub illustrates the cost: €350,000 with licence, €290,000 without (Irish Independent coverage).

Step 3: Get a professional valuation

Engage an auctioneer like Rooney Auctioneers or Michael Roberts Estate Agents. Their appraisals factor in square footage, turnover, and location premium.

Step 4: Secure financing

Irish banks typically require a business plan showing projected turnover and costs. A trading pub with existing revenue is easier to finance than a closed unit.

Step 5: Due diligence and conveyancing

Hire a solicitor experienced in pub purchases. The licence transfer alone involves District Court approval and public notice requirements.

What we know and what remains unclear

Key quotes from the market

“Publicans call time as six hostelries in Limerick and Clare are put up for sale.”

— Limerick Leader report, on the June 2025 sale batch

“Price slashed on Clare pub for sale with option to purchase with or without licence.”

— Irish Independent coverage, on the Stritch’s Pub reduction

Summary

The six-pub batch of June 2025 is a rare window into the midwest Irish pub market — a mix of trading bars in Clare and Limerick city hitting the market at prices from €290,000 to €650,000. A first-time buyer in Clare should prioritise a trading pub with a seven-day licence, commission an independent valuation, and budget for rates and operational costs that will eat into whatever margin each pint delivers.

For those considering a similar venture in the capital, our guide to pubs for sale in Dublin offers a detailed look at the market there.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Houses for Sale in Shannon, Clare: 2025 Listings & Prices
• Rent to Buy Scheme Ireland: How It Works, Eligibility & Pros/Cons