One of Ireland's oldest and most famous pubs, Durty Nelly's in Bunratty, Co Clare, has been sold to a pair of Ennis businessmen in a deal thought to be worth in excess of €10 million.
Located in the shadow of the 15th-century Bunratty Castle, Durty Nelly's dates back to 1620.
Owned by Limerick businessman Humphrey O'Connor for the past 25 years, it is understood that the public house, which is part of the local tourism scene, has been sold to two Ennis businessman who also own the nearby Bunratty Shamrock Hotel, formerly owned by the Fitzpatrick family from Dublin.
When contacted yesterday, no-one at the tavern was willing to comment on the sale. The building has three bars and two restaurants. According to legend, Durty Nelly lived there.
"A robust 'lady', stately in stature: well-shaped and, by all accounts, with attributes which were genuine enough not to require any of the skilfully designed aids to the provocative beauty of the female form," says a sign in the pub.
Durty Nelly operated the toll bridge at Bunratty on the road between Galway and Limerick and was also renowned for her "shebeen" and always believed that she would find fame.
Now many of the world's cities have their own Durty Nelly's pub. From Amsterdam to Sydney, you are sure to find a Durty Nelly's, but it all started in Bunratty.