70yearold Mayo pub sold as family confirms site will be turned into apartments

The Olde Woods pub on Main Street in Balla, County Mayo, opened in 1955 and closed in January 2023 after nearly seven decades. The premises were then used as accommodation, first for refugees arriving from Ukraine and later for short-term emergency housing in three of its 12 rooms. The Dempsey family confirmed the sale and said the new owners intend to redevelop the property into apartments, calling it a major asset to the village. The family also clarified misconceptions raised in recent months, stating the premises had been leased for the previous three years to an independent company responsible for dealings. Questions were raised at municipal district meetings about suitability and staffing, and the family and a councillor exchanged competing claims about misinformation and verified information.

"The premises, located on Main Street, first opened in 1955 and had been at the heart of the village for nearly seven decades before its closure in January 2023. Since then, it has been used as accommodation, initially for refugees arriving from Ukraine and, more recently, for short-term emergency housing in three of its 12 rooms."

"Confirming the sale on social media, the Dempsey family said they understood the new owners intend to redevelop the property into apartments, describing the plan as "a huge asset to the village". The family also took the opportunity to clarify "a number of misconceptions" reported about the premises in recent months."

""The premises has been leased for the last three years by an independent company who have has responsible for all dealings within The Olde Woods," they wrote. Concerns about the building's use were raised at the February meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District, where Cllr Donna Sheridan questioned its suitability as accommodation for homeless people, due to the absence of full‑time staff on site."

"In response at the time, the Dempsey family issued a statement clarifying that the premises had been used since 2023 to house refugees from Ukraine, and that under a more recent arrangement, three rooms were being used for short‑term emergency accommodation. They described Cllr Sheridan's comments as "misinformation" and said they were disappointed that she had raised the issue without what they believed was the correct information."

Read at Irish Independent