O’Donoghue’s in black after pulling tourists and ‘techies’

Losses reduced from €597,463 to €285,644

At the launch of the Ronnie Drew The Last Session: A Fond Farewell CD in O’Donoghues pub, Dublin  were from left to right: Patsy Watchorn from The Dubliners, Cliodhna Dunne and Phelim Drew and John Sheahan from the Dubliners
At the launch of the Ronnie Drew The Last Session: A Fond Farewell CD in O’Donoghues pub, Dublin were from left to right: Patsy Watchorn from The Dubliners, Cliodhna Dunne and Phelim Drew and John Sheahan from the Dubliners

Tourists and 'techies' last year contributed to one of the country's best known pubs, O'Donoghue's on Dublin's Merrion Row, enjoying a stellar year to record post-tax profits of more than €310,000.

New accounts show the firm behind the family-run pub, O’Donoghue’s (Merrion Row) Ltd, reduced its accumulated losses by €311,819 from €597,463 to €285,644 in the 12 months to the end of June 30th last.

The accounts for last year show the firm’s cash pile increased by €238,834 from €783,362 to €1.022 million.

The firm’s shareholder funds stood at €7.1 million at the end of June last.

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The pub has long been associated with traditional Irish music and the Dubliners in particular, who began to play in the pub in the 1960s.

Yesterday, owner, Oliver Barden said: "We were very happy with how the business performed during 2013. The Gathering led to a huge upturn in the tourist trade and this is rolling into 2014. Events such as the Dublin Web Summit along with a strong interest in domestic sporting events gave us a boost."

The accounts show that last year, the firm reduced the amount it owed to banks from €1.15m to €986,589.

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan

Gordon Deegan is a contributor to The Irish Times