WATCH: Masked men evict housing activists using derelict Dublin pub as community centre

The former Ardee Pub in Dublin’s Liberties area was being used as makeshift a community centre for a number of weeks until yesterday when a High Court ruling barred them from continuing to use the premises.

The pub, which has been empty since 2010 on Chamber Street, Dublin 8, is in a state of deterioration and part collapse inside.

Jack Teeling of Teelings Whiskey Company transferred owenership of the pub to Black Sheep Investments in 2017. Black Sheep had unsuccessfully sought planning permission for part demolition of the property with the construction of 14 apartments over five or six floors with a community facility at ground level.

A new planning application had been submitted to Dublin City Council on Tuesday.

Renamed The "Anne Devlin Community Centre", the group held traditional music sessions, first aid classes, pop-up gaeltacht evenings and a small cafe.

A spokesperson for the group told JOE: "We were getting ready to open the cafe, when a guard kicked the door in, and arrested two people.

"Six or seven private security men, pushed people out. Nothing too aggressive but comical given it was a community centre."

The Radical Housing League who protest against land hoarding and dereliction in the city say they will move on to another premises.

"We want to keep the campaign going in another derelict building," the spokesman told JOE.

"The Liberties is a proud working class community, with no community centre since the Donore Avenue Centre burned down.

"We've had a huge amount of support, opening the cafe everyday, with people coming in, the aim is to have a real community spirit.

Black Sheep, the owner of the property say they are "fully committed to the development of much needed housing and a purpose built community space for the residents of Dublin 8.  Black Sheep has strong ties to the Liberties and has a deep respect for the area’s rich heritage and sense of community.   

The matter has now been appropriately dealt with by the Courts and the property has been lawfully returned to its owners.  Black Sheep has at all times followed the instructions of the Court and has acted in a professional and respectful manner throughout. We look forward to continuing to engage with local stakeholders as we progress the development."

80,328 residential properties recorded as vacant across Ireland in June 2025.