Huge surge in profits at popular Dublin pub thanks to the Taylor Swift effect
New accounts filed by the Barden family-owned O'Donoghues (Merrion Row) Ltd show that the business recorded the €902,887 post-tax profits in the 12 months to the end of last June after recording post-tax profits of €215,886 in the previous year.
The pub enjoyed a bumper year as 150,000 Taylor Swift fans descended on the nearby Aviva stadium last June 28, 29 and 30.
The pub also benefited from three Six Nations internationals in the early part of last year.
This year, the business will benefit as Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey perform at the Aviva stadium.
The accounts – signed off by directors, Oliver Barden and Marie Barden on April 9 – show that at the end of last June, the company was sitting on accumulated profits of €2.5million.
The profit last year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of €242,898.
At the end of last June, the company had shareholder funds of €9.94m that included the accumulated profits of €2.5m and a revaluation reserve of €7.42m.
The company's cash funds plummeted from €2.16m to €840,145, and this coincided with the company re-investing once more in the business last year.
The accounts show that the value of the company's tangible assets last year increased from €7.3m to €9.9m and this was mainly due to the addition of land and buildings freehold that had a book value of €2.86m.
Pay to directors last year reduced from €345,000 to €316,000.
The pub is owned and operated by the Barden family and numbers employed remained at 22 during the year.
The abridged accounts do not provide a revenue figure for the year, but do disclose that the company made a dividend payout of €54,375.
Underlining the buoyant year enjoyed by the business, the amount owed under taxation and social welfare doubled from €374,660 to €760,003.
The pub has long been associated with traditional Irish music, and The Dubliners in particular, who began to play at the pub in the 1960s. Bruce Springsteen has also been a visitor.
The premises was built in 1789 and began operating as a full-time pub in 1934 when Maureen and Paddy O'Donoghue began running the bar.
Oliver Barden bought the pub in 1988.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Agriland
28 minutes ago
- Agriland
Heydon leads agri-food trade mission to Korea and Japan
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon is leading a major agri-food trade mission to the Republic of Korea and Japan this week (June 2025). The trade mission, in collaboration with Bord Bia, and Enterprise Ireland, runs until Saturday (June 14) and will include political meetings, as well as market development engagement at a series of trade events with commercial representatives. It will also include two ministerial meetings, and take in visits to three cities, including two markets, two trade receptions, and twelve commercial engagements focusing on Ireland's beef, dairy, consumer foods, and seafood products. There are 22 Irish companies participating over the two legs of the trade mission. The Japanese leg is set to have a particular focus on driving awareness of Irish drinks, including three drinks activations events. According to Minister Heydon, the focus of the trade mission is to build on, and promote, Ireland's reputation in agri-food in the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the wider Asia region. The minister will also attend Seoul Food, Korea's largest international exhibition for the food, drink, hotel and food service industry. He will also attend Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan which is expected to attract more than 28 million visitors, with participation by 160 countries. Speaking from Seoul, South Korea, Minister Heydon said: 'Irish beef gained access to the Korean market in 2024, which was a significant achievement. I was delighted to be in Seoul last September for the launch of Irish beef on the market. 'This week is about building on the excellent relationships, both official and commercial, we have developed in the Republic of Korea and Japan, to strengthen and expand the relationships,' the minister added. Republic of Korea The CEO of Bord Bia, Jim O'Toole said the aim of the mission is to build further connections with importers and distributors, particularly for the beef sector. He said: 'The Republic of Korea is the most valuable beef market in Asia and should be seen as a long-term, stable opportunity for the Irish beef industry, particularly those companies supplying Irish bone-in cuts such as short ribs that are popular for Korean barbeque restaurants. 'Security of supply is an important factor in purchasing decisions for South Korean customers, something which Ireland can deliver on backed by Origin Green farming practices including its quality assurance programmes and regular farm audits. 'This trade mission is all about highlighting these credentials and maximising value for a range of Irish cuts with our South Korean buyers,' O'Toole added. Agriland will be covering the trade mission live from Japan, so stay tuned for developments and progress from the trip.
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Billy Kane appointed to BPFI board
Billy Kane, founder and chief executive of Finance Ireland, has been appointed to the board of Banking & Payments Federation Ireland for a two-year tenure. Mr Kane has almost five decades of experience in financial services. He founded Finance Ireland, now the largest nonbank lender in Ireland, in 2002 which operates in commercial property lending, motor finance, asset-backed lending and agri-finance. Prior to this, he founded Irish Permanent finance in the early 1990s and went on to become CEO of Irish Permanent and Director of Irish Life & Permanent. Mr Kane said: "I'm honoured to join the BPFI Board and look forward to contributing my experience, particularly from the non-bank lending sector. Non-bank lenders play a critical role in the financial ecosystem — expanding choice, driving competition, and delivering over €49 billion in credit to Irish households and businesses by September 2024. "As the industry continues to evolve, it's essential that all parts of the financial services landscape are represented with a strong, collective voice, as we navigate evolving customer expectations, regulatory shifts, and ongoing digital transformation. I look forward to working with colleagues from across the sector as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead." Brian Hayes, Chief Executive, BPFI, welcomed Mr Kane's appointment. "As the representative voice for over 120 domestic and international members, it's essential that our Board reflects the breadth of the industry we serve."
RTÉ News
an hour ago
- RTÉ News
Accountancy students count themselves best in the world
Four Irish accountancy students can count themselves the best in the world after finishing first and second in their exams. Elizabeth Howard and Aoife Mc Walters, both from Galway, achieved the highest mark globally in their Taxation exam, while Liina Rae from Rathfarnham and Gary O'Shea, from Bandon, were second in the world in their Performance Management and Financial Management exams respectively. All Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) students at Dublin-based online and blended learning college, Accountancy School, they are amongst 15 accountancy students from the school to rank within the world's top 10 in their exams. Of 500,000 ACCA students, approximately 8,000 of whom study in Ireland, Elizabeth, Aoife, Liina and Gary were four of 27 fellow Accountancy School students to finish first in Ireland. All were recognised for their achievements at a ceremony in Dublin recently. Congratulating them on their results, Accountancy School managing director, Dave O'Donoghue said, "ACCA is a globally recognised accountancy qualification, and the key to a hugely rewarding career in accountancy and financial management, here in Ireland and internationally. "Against the backdrop of an acute world-wide shortage of accountants, ACCA trainees, affiliates and members are in high demand throughout the world," Mr O'Donoghue said.
