BREAKING: Landmark Kildare pub and restaurant could reopen later this year, say new owners

The Johnstown Inn pub/restaurant, on Naas’ outskirts, is undergoing substantial renovation and could reopen before the end of 2025.

The landmark premises is the only business of its kind in the immediate hinterland and the first stage of a refurbishment project has started.

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Bought recently by the owners of Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas, it went to market with a guide price of €1.9m.

It occupies 900 square metres just off the N7 dual carriageway and came with two apartments, a fully equipped bar and restaurant with a kitchen, a nightclub complex and planning permission for a number of apartments

The premises was described by the selling agent as having the potential to become a boutique hotel or to be redeveloped entirely.

The site occupies .45 of an acre.

The Johnstown Inn has been in existence since the 1700s and had been owned by the retiring Jim Sheridan for about three decades prior to the sale.

A representative of Lawlor’s Hotel said it will reopen as a pub and restaurant but a clear date is not available.

“The first task will be to clean it up and as of now we’ve no plans to do major work, but it will be refurbished.”

The representative added that because the enterprise had been closed utilities and services will have to be restored and all regulations, for a premises of that kind, will have to be complied with prior to reopening.