McDaid's, the narrow Harry Street pub off Grafton Street that once served Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Behan, Flann O'Brien and J.P. Donleavy, has changed hands. Brothers Oliver and Paul Cosgrave have sold it, together with The Druid's Chair in Killiney, to the Mangan family, owners of Doheny & Nesbitt on Baggot Street. The sale was first reported by The Currency and confirmed by Hospitality Ireland on 15 October 2026. Neither side has commented on the price.

Why it matters

  • A city-centre pub has gone to an established publican family rather than a fund or a hotel group. The buyers already run one of the city's busiest traditional houses, and family-to-family sales tend to keep a pub's character and staff.
  • The building was a chapel before it was a pub, and the literary trade it still draws is part of what a buyer pays for. Expect the frontage, the snug and the name to stay.
  • For staff: a change of owner is a transfer of undertaking. Under the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003, existing contracts and terms move with the business.

What we don't know

The price, whether the Druid's Chair will be run as one business with McDaid's, and whether any refurbishment is planned. We have asked both parties and will update this piece.