St. Vincent de Paul Society inherits one of Galway's busiest pubs

Published: 2005-06-27

DUBLIN, Ireland (CNS) -- The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Ireland now owns one of the city of Galway's busiest pubs after inheriting the four-story building from its previous owner. O'Connell's pub is one of Galway's most popular drinking venues, known for its mixed clientele where fishermen, businessmen and students all rub elbows. The building, a former guesthouse, also has 15 bedrooms and a large yard. Local real estate agents estimate that the building will sell for more than $12 million, providing a huge financial windfall for the charity. Columba Faulkner, the society's national secretary, cautioned against speculating on the building's worth. "Obviously we are delighted, but no one knows what the bequest is worth until the pub is sold," she said. The former owner, Maureen O'Connell, also left another Galway building to the society. When both properties are sold, the total bequest to the society will likely exceed more than half of last year's total donations of $28 million, Faulkner said.

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