The owners of Lenehans Bar and Grill have announced the immediate closure of their Rathmines restaurant just three years into operation.
The business, which is owned by Fallon and Byrne founders Paul Byrne and Fiona McHugh, was located on Rathgar Road and was a prime spot for brunch and cocktails. The restaurant also had a rooftop terrace for customers to enjoy dining on.
The business confirmed the sad news with a sign on the door of the premises. The notice was first spotted over the weekend, although the closure has not yet been mentioned on Lenehans social media accounts.
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The sign read: “Unfortunately Lenehans has had to close as of today. We are very grateful for everyone’s business so far and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
The sudden news may come as a shock to some customers, particularly as social events on the premises were running shortly before the announcement was made. The restaurant posted on Instagram prior to the news of its closure that its recurring comedy night, Live at Lenehans, needed to reschedule a planned show on September 14.
However, the business was experiencing financial difficulties months prior to the recent news. The Irish Independent reported back in August that the restaurant was seeking a rescue deal in order to salvage the business.
The eatery is located in the former grounds of Lenehans Hardware, which ceased trading on Rathgar Road in 2015. The hardware store had been operating for over 70 years and closed following the owners’ retirement.
Fiona McHugh and Paul Byrne also had also expanded their Fallon and Byrne presence to Rathmines through a café and retail premises located in the Swan Shopping Centre. However, this venture closed back in January 2020 due to financial losses.
Many restaurants and businesses are under pressure due to rising energy bills and inflation. Dorian in Donnybrook most recently announced it was shutting down as a result of mounting costs.
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