Kinsale, Cork, Ireland

The Harbour Bar is an iconic and much-loved public house & residence within the beautiful setting and hamlet that is Scilly, Kinsale, less than 1km from the town centre and 22kms south-west of Cork International Airport. This property occupies a most unique and beautiful setting with an open, uninterrupted view of Kinsale marina, harbour and its traditional fishermen's working pier. This three-storey property is in existence since the mid 1800's as a public house and private residence with the ground floor being a character filled, simple, but charming bar with an outlook to the front gardens with stunning water and marina views. The stone exposed walls, solid fuel stove, bow shaped bar counter and an array of pictures and memorabilia as well as a visitor book dating back decades highlighting Scilly and Kinsale as a consistently popular location attracting visitors from all over the globe. Accommodation over the first and second floor is extensive and whilst the entire property does require modernisation, its potential is unlimited and its beauty in terms of its setting and outlook is hypnotic. The property remains licensed and Scilly has traditionally, and more recently, been recognised as one of the finest locations, not only in Kinsale but across the country, attracting buyers from all over the globe. Within walking distance of Kinsale town and Summercove with a huge array of popular and renowned restaurants, The Harbour Bar offers itself for sale as a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire an iconic Scilly, Kinsale property with enormous potential within a unique and beautiful setting.

Viewing comes highly recommended but, strictly by prior appointment

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Historical Note

Records show that a public house has existed on the site of the Harbour Bar since the mid to late 19th century with an 1894 map clearly showing the site marked as a public house, with Scilly as connected, separate hamlet to Kinsale town with over two hundred houses at the time. Kinsale was thriving as a busy commercial fishing harbour and tourist town with numbers of visitors swelling during the summer for the bathing season. Whilst Kinsale's fishing industry is a mere shadow of its former glory, the towns attraction to national and international visitors alike and its reputation as a gourmet town has grown from strength to strength, attracting visitors all year round and is officially the start of the Wild Atlantic Way.

The Harbour Bar was purchased by Jebb and Stanley Platt, with their son Tim, who relocated after many successful years of running the Delganny Inn in County Wicklow. They purchased the property by auction in May 1977 with a strict upper limit of £35,000punts set by them. It is rumoured the excitement of the bidding, and possibly a few whiskeys, sent the price to £41,750punts, which set the record as one of the most expensive per sq.ft. pubs without draught beer at the time. The property was previously owned by a Doris Hutchinson who was renowned for her love of Poodle dogs!

The Platt family quickly set about improving and reconfiguring the Harbour Bar, as you see it today, taking full advantage of the property's' setting and outlook. The property has attracted an array of local, national and international visitors from all over the globe with many recorded on the countertop guest book which is a testament to the Platts renowned hospitality. The property over the years has found infamy from many different sources but, it is the Lonely Planet review that captures the stewardship of the business and the property. Stating that The Harbour Bar comes romping home in Kinsale as the most unusual bar and states 'little gem of a place' and likens it very much to being in someone's front room and that you forget you're in a bar at all, with landlord Tim presiding over 'battered old sofas and a small brick bar, sharing stories, keeping the fire stoked to the hearth' and describes it as 'wonderfully bonkers.' Tim was known, first and foremost, for being a true gentleman with great knowledge, opinions, and of course best known for his hospitality and storytelling. His Irish Coffees & Bloody Marys were legendary!

Evidence of the Platt families connections with both the equine and literary world are evident throughout the property with one of Tim's uncles being Henry Eyre 'Farmer' Linde. It is said that there was no greater horse trainer than Farmer Linde nicknamed due to his harvest of wins over 25 years. He won every major Irish race several times, thrice won The Grand National at Aintree coming 2nd a further five times. He owned Eyrefield Lodge on the Curragh and built a steeple chase course which reproduced many of the obstacles horses faced on the classic British course, still being used today to train race winning horses. Tim's great aunt was Stella MacCran with her cameo plaster cast still hanging in the property dating from 1901. Married to Henry Stewart MacCran, a professor of Philosophy in Trinity college and together they lived in 2 Sorrento Terrace, Dalkey where in the late 19th century the literary set of Dublin, including James Joyce, regularly visited. After Henrys death, Stella remained in Sorrento Terrace as a recluse, dressed in rags and her greatest wish was to leave all her wealth to Trinity. Her portrait by Sarah Purser still hangs in the Dean's office today.

More recently, Scilly has been recognised by buyers both locally and internationally as Kinsales best address and most sought after location with the strongest Kinsale residential sales to date, all possessing a Scilly address.

The next chapter for this infamous Scilly property, that is the Harbour Bar, is now ready to be written by its next custodian, whoever the fortunate buyer may be.


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Internal Storm Porch -2m x 1m
Double saloon doors to the Harbour Bar.


Harbour Bar (8.4m x 5m)
Feature solid fuel stove. Decorative ceramic tiling and solid wood flooring. Exposed ceiling beams and ceiling panels. Two large sash windows with exquisite views overlooking Kinsale Marina. Turned staircase to first floor with rope handrail. Fitted bar with curved wood top counter and bay window onto front gardens with views overlooking Kinsale Marina. Door through to a rear lobby, w.c.'s & bottle store.


Rear Lobby-2.1m x 2m
Access to beer & bottle store & w.c.'s. Window to rear. Door to side.


Bottle Store -3.7m x 2.1m
Stone exposed walls.


Gents W.C. -2.3m x 1.7m
One cubical. Two urinals. Wash-hand basin.


Ladies W.C. -2.3m x 1.5m
One cubical. Wash-hand basin.


First Floor

Landing -1.8m x 1.7m
Stairs to top floor.


Bathroom -3.1m x 2.8m
Fully fitted with w.c., wash-hand basin & bath-tub. Airing cupboard. Plumbed & fitted with washing machine. Wooden panel waist coating & ceiling.


Kitchen -3m x 2.86m
Fully fitted with presses & cupboards. Wash-hand basin. Window to front with view of Kinsale Marina.


Lounge -5.14m x 4.98m
Two sash panel windows to front with exquisite views of Kinsale Marina and Pier. Feature exposed beams. Access to rear bedroom. Wooden floors.


Bedroom 1 -4.5m x 3.6m
Window to rear & side. Wooden floors. Access to day room. Wall lights.


Day Room-2m x 1.7m
Sliding doors to side path. Access to guest w.c.. Wooden floors.
Guest W.C. (1.3m x 1.5m)
Fitted with w.c. & wash-hand basin.


Granny's Floor (Top Floor)

Lounge -5.8m x 5.5m
Floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors to front balcony with exquisite fish-eye views of Kinsale Marina, Castle Park Marina, James Fort, Pier Road & Compass Hill. Velux with exquisite views. Access to bedroom. Wooden panel ceilings. Wooden floors.


Bedroom -4.4m x 2.9m
Velux window to front with exquisite views Kinsale Marina, Castle Park Marina, James Fort, Pier Road & Compass Hill. Wooden floors. Window to side.


Shower Room -2.3m x 1.4m
Fully fitted w.c., wash-hand basin & electric shower.


Bedroom -6.6m x 3.8m
Two large windows to side. Built in storage.