THE IDYLIC seaside community of Dalkey has been left heartbroken by the news one of the village’s oldest and best loved pubs won’t be reopening after the pandemic.
For well over 200 years, The Queens has served locals and tourists alike.
A long-standing and much-loved fixture in the Dublin community, news of the closure has sent shockwaves through the region and represents one of the first notable business casualties from the region’s hospitality sector.
Staff were informed of the sad news after receiving a letter from the current owner of The Queens, Tom Mulcahy.
The letter read:
"I have no doubt this has been a difficult time for you and your family.
It is with regret and I am personally very sad, to inform you that The Queens Limited will not reopen and has ceased trading.
“Unfortunately, I am therefore informing you that The Queens will be commencing a collective redundancy process."
Fans of the pub from across Dalkey and much of Ireland have been quick to express shock at the news, with the closure described as a “real shame” given its history and status in the own.
First established in 1745 and licensed since 1787, The Queen holds the distinction of not only being one of the oldest pubs in all of Dublin, but older than even America itself.
While Dalkey is unlikely to ever be the same again, hopes remain high that pubs across Ireland can bounce back once they are allowed to begin serving customers again later this month, albeit with strict social distancing measures in place.
