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09th Sep 2019

Beloved Dublin pub The Bernard Shaw to close its doors for good next month

Carl Kinsella

Bernard Shaw

A terrible day for Dublin.

The Bernard Shaw, a beloved Dublin pub on Richmond St, has announced that it will be closing for good at the end of October.

In a statement published on Monday afternoon, the Shoddytonic and Shaw team confirmed the sad news.

“It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the end of our Bernard Shaw adventure,” the statement read.

“At the end of October 2019 we will close the Shaw, Eatyard, all organisational, art and performance spaces and everything else in the building and yards – for good.

“We’ve tried really hard over the last few months to renew the lease, stay on longer, or buy the place. A lot of things didn’t go our way over the last 12 months either, but it’s out of our hands now unfortunately.”

The pub, named for one of Ireland’s great writers, George Bernard Shaw, has been around for 13 years. It also regularly played home to food festivals, DJ sets, concerts, and various creative endeavours. Earlier this year, the establishment lost a planning battle to continue operating its beer garden and Big Blue Bus pizza.

On Monday, it was confirmed that the pub would be ceasing operations altogether.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was part of this 13 year adventure,” the statement continued.

“Our landlord, our neighbours & the council were by and large all brilliant and very helpful & supportive. The artists, makers, designers, bands, DJs, promoters, hustlers and lunatics who did their thing at the Shaw – we couldn’t have done it without you.

“We have had amazing, loyal customers, many who came, and left, and came back again over those 13 years as life got in the way while we were busy making plans and being busy fools.

“Above all we want to thank our crew. Past and present we have had incredible people work with us. Everything we do is about people…. their ideas, trying things out, making a mess of it, trying again, getting it right, having fun, making memories, and when the party’s over, lets plan another party. But parties weren’t meant to last…”

The statement also reflected the attitudes of many in Dublin, noting that the city is home to “many young creative, clever, smart people in Dublin & Ireland at the moment… but they need the spaces to meet each other, make plans, and make them happen.”

The statement added that those behind the pub would not be going down without a fight, and that “plans are afoot” for future projects.

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It's with heavy hearts that we announce the end of our Bernard Shaw adventure. At the end of October 2019 we will close the Shaw, Eatyard, all organisational, art and performance spaces and everything else in the building and yards – for good. We've tried really hard over the last few months to renew the lease, stay on longer, or buy the place. A lot of things didn't go our way over the last 12 months either, but it's out of our hands now unfortunately. We'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who was part of this 13 year adventure. Our landlord, our neighbours & the council were by and large all brilliant and very helpful & supportive. The artists, makers, designers, bands, DJs, promoters, hustlers and lunatics who did their thing at the Shaw – we couldn't have done it without you. We have had amazing, loyal customers, many who came, and left, and came back again over those 13 years as life got in the way while we were busy making plans and being busy fools. Above all we want to thank our crew. Past and present we have had incredible people work with us. Everything we do is about people…. their ideas, trying things out, making a mess of it, trying again, getting it right, having fun, making memories, and when the party's over, lets plan another party. But parties weren't meant to last… Dublin is changing, we can all see and feel it but we are going nowhere & we won't go down without a fight. We'll start something else, somewhere else [ plans are afoot ] , and keep fighting the good fight. There are so many young creative, clever, smart people in Dublin & Ireland at the moment – there's lots to be optimistic about – but they need the spaces to meet each other, make plans, and make them happen! We'll have more info, lineups, events, wakes, next steps out over the next few days & weeks…. until the end of October we're open as normal, we're ready for y'all and we're gonna party like its….2019! Shaw & Shoddytonic Crew.

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