The people of Sligo have been asked to become involved in a campaign to ensure that one of the oldest and best known pubs in the West is preserved. Marese McDonagh reports.
The future of Hargadon's pub on O'Connell Street, Sligo, has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, but the local borough council has now moved to ensure that it is protected.
It is understood that the premises has changed ownership in recent months and with the current lease due to expire in two weeks, speculation is growing that there may be plans to redevelop at least part of the pub.
Hargadon's features in many travel guides and is a popular landmark with both locals and tourists. However, fears for the future of the premises, which has operated as a pub since 1868, were fuelled this week when it emerged that it was not on the local development plan's list of protected structures, even though councillors had voted to include it in 2003.
Former mayor Declan Bree discovered that the building was not on the list after being contacted by a number of local people concerned about the speculation. After being alerted, Sligo Borough Council immediately acted to have the building added to the list of protected structures and a notice to that effect is in this week's Sligo Champion.
It is understood that notices have also been sent to the owners and occupiers of the building. Members of the public can make submissions on the council's proposal to list the premises before September 29th. City councillors will then vote on the matter.
A spokeswoman for the council said now that the process had begun, the building enjoyed the same protection as any other protected structure.
She said Hargadon's had "inadvertently" been omitted from the list in the development plan.
Paul O'Donnell, who runs the premises, said: "It is a very historic building and a landmark not just for Sligo people but for people all over the world."
Hargadon's is the first entry under Sligo in the Lonely Planet travel guide, which notes that no place in the town can beat it for atmosphere, with its 19th-century bar fittings and snugs resembling "a stage set".
Mr Bree urged the people of Sligo to make their views known to the council in the coming weeks.