Locals take the reins to revive village pub in Co Limerick
The new owners of Ahern’s Bar in Limerick which will be renamed as The Street Bar
In a remarkable display of community spirit and entrepreneurial initiative, a group of residents in the village of Kilteely, Co Limerick, have come together to save their local pub from closure — by buying it themselves.
A collective of 26 locals — 25 men and one woman — have purchased the former Ahern’s pub for €300,000, rebranding it as The Street Bar. None of the investors have direct experience in the hospitality trade, but the group boasts a diverse range of professional backgrounds, including a barrister, solicitor, pharmacist, carpenter, accountant, psychologist, teacher, and several tradespeople and farmers.
Simple motivation
Their motivation was simple but powerful: to preserve the last social hub in their rural community.
“We’ve lost our shop, our post office, even the creamery. We couldn’t watch the pub go too,” said Noel O’Dea, a landscape gardener and one of the investors. “They say it takes a village to raise a child, but I’ll tell you this — it also takes a village to save a pub.”
With the previous owners retiring, the group feared the premises might remain shuttered or be converted to residential use — a common fate for rural pubs across Ireland. Instead, they acted decisively, pooling funds and skills to keep the doors open.
The initiative follows a local tradition of resilience. After the last recession, villagers also established a recycling business that now employs seven people — the only other enterprise in Kilteely at the time.
Now, with The Street Bar open for business, the ownership group is turning its attention to a retail unit included in the sale. “There’ve been a few ideas floated,” said Mr O’Dea with a laugh, “though I’m not sure we’d get away with all of them.”
Barrister Liam Carroll, another co-owner, acknowledged the financial risks involved but believes the social return is more than worth it. “Rural pubs are vanishing — we know this isn’t about profit. But it’s about people, community, and keeping something alive that brings us together.”
The group hopes to employ a small number of staff and ensure the pub remains a vital, vibrant meeting point for the village.
For other communities watching their local lose its foothold, their message is clear: if you want to keep it, take action — together.
