A community in Tipperary has come together to purchase and reopen a local pub.
Chrissie’s pub in the village of Ballylooby closed around two decades ago.
Locals say the area lost more than just a pub but also an important social hub and part of the village heritage.
A Smart Village Survey in 2023 highlighted the need for a community centre, children’s playground, community shop, a licenced premises and remote working hub.
Tomas Hennessy is part of Chrissie’s Community Project Limited – he spoke to Tipp Today earlier about the progress they’ve made.
“Chrissies came available roughly this time last year for sale so there was a public meeting called and it was decided that the local community would buy the pub. So, a call went out to all people in the vicinity, and we managed to get 102 shareholders involved and we managed to purchase the premises.
“The sale was completed in March and since then we have been working on planning permission and doing the various tests and we’re now in a position thankfully to go for planning permission in the coming days.”
Tomas Meehan says the next step is to secure the funding needed to make those projects a reality.
“We’re going to explore grant avenue that is available to us let it be Leader or the Rural Town and Villages Rejuvenation Grant. Also, at the moment we have a fundraising drive raffling a brand-new Kia K4 so a new car for 2027.
“I suppose the overall project we’re probably looking at somewhere between €800,000 and €1 million. The premises is bought and completely paid for with all associated costs. And that is a phased development over a number of years.”
