The Old Warehouse, a joint venture between hospitality entrepreneur Alan Clancy and PGA golf star Shane Lowry, has opened it's doors in Tullamore. The venue, formerly Tullamore Dew’s Heritage Centre, fronts onto the Royal Canal at Bury Quay.
The opening has been eagerly anticipated by Tullamore’s social scene since word spread that Shane Lowry was involved in the redevelopment of the former bonded warehouse into a destination venue. Fitted out over 10 months, the Old Warehouse didn’t disappoint when the curtains were raised to the public. While retaining the spirit of the venue’s previous function, the bar/restaurant is a visual feast with a mixture of intimate snug and dramatic open spaces in which patrons can enjoy a variety of food and beverage offerings.
Commenting on the opening Alan Clancy stated: “When Grants decided they wanted to sell the building, I saw it's potential as a bar restaurant in a prime location. I successfully procured it and brought Shane in as a partner. As a Clara man, Shane has a deep connection to the area and to the people of Offaly”.
“We completed the fit out of the first two floors in time to open before Christmas. We won’t have too many events this side of Christmas but next year we’re planning to host events and will be opening the top floor”.
Spread out across two floors, the Old Warehouse has main and whiskey bars, full restaurant service and a dedicated coffee shop. The décor is dramatic and inviting and for all its luxury, the interior design hasn’t lost the link to its industrial heritage.
The Copper Still Café, named for the three large copper stills dramatically positioned on the interior stone wall, offers coffee and snacks in both its interior and exterior spaces. The canal frontage has seating for sixty and is sure to be a popular stopping point for Offaly Greenway walkers in the summer months.
Food is served through out with light bites on the ground and full restaurant service on the first floors. The lunch and dinner menus will be complimented by a pizza menu when the wood fired pizza oven comes on stream in the new year.
However, it is in the drinks and bar service spaces that the Old Warehouse really comes to life. Combining contemporary modern interior décor with the drama of its industrial setting, the bars provide dramatic visual backdrops for the venue’s social spaces. From the beaten copper bar counter of the whiskey bar, the double height, open plan main bar and the cosy snug, choc full of GAA memorabilia - the Old Warehouse has distinct personalities that still work as a complete venue.
Future plans for the Old Warehouse will include private function spaces on the top floor. But the most important aspect of the development is that a historic building has been repurposed into a stunning new social space while still keeping its historic aspect and personality.
Final word to Alan Clancy:
“We really are privileged to have such a historic site within the town of Tullamore. Shane and I tried to keep the DNA of the original design when we were bringing it all together. After the amazing work previous owners Grants did on the premises, we now have the honour of presenting the Old Warehouse as a new social venue with hospitality at its core. We look forward to welcoming many more people into it and that they will enjoy their experience.”
The Old Warehouse is open seven days a week with full bar and restaurant service. The Copper Still Café opens daily serving coffee from 8am to 4.30pm weekdays and from 9.30am to 4.30pm at the weekend.
Visit oldwarehouse.ie for updates.
Slán go fóill.