Write a comment
Planning permission has been submitted to redevelop the former ArmaghDown bar in Monaghan Street, Newry.
The proposal is to redevelop the bar with the provision of a single storey rear extension, beer garden and food and retail market (comprising shipping containers) and outdoor seating area with associated canopy and raised stage area.
The site is the location of the former Matt D’Arcy Distillery, taking in 19 Monaghan Street the location of the Armagh Down public house and yard and 6 Lower Catherine Street which presently contains a derelict warehouse and yard.
The application has been made by Granite Exchange, Kildare Street, Newry and It is hoped that the venue could employ 20 people.
Planning permission was granted in 2018 for the refurbishment of the ArmaghDown bar and the provision of a craft micro distillery and visitor centre with function room and restaurant but it wasn't forwarded to completion.
A Planning Statement from Clyde Shanks explains the project on the 0.13 hectare site in more detail.
The Armagh Down Bar proposal will involve keeping and refurbishing the entire existing public house structure and no alterations are proposed to the façade facing Monaghan Street. The ground floor and first floors of the building will comprise a public bar consistent with the original use.
The Planning Statement explains "Externally, an extension is proposed to the rear of the existing public house which will contain public toilets, storage and comms rooms and an outside bar/servery catering to beer garden patrons. A roof terrace with seating is proposed at second floor level of the proposed extension with access from the second floor bar and from a proposed external staircase located at the western elevation of the building."
The story behind the Matt D’Arcy Distillery and the whiskey it produced will also be displayed in an exhibition space.
The proposal will include the installation of 10 shipping containers around the perimeter of the beer garden area serving street food and non-alcoholic beverages such as coffee and smoothies from local artisan vendors to compliment the alcoholic beverage offer from the public house.
A raised stage area is proposed to the north western corner of the beer garden providing space for live music and entertainment.
The majority of the outdoor space will be covered by a canopy comprising of a grid of monopitched roofs supported by a steel frame structure.
Pedestrian access to the beer garden will be provided from Monaghan Street, Lower Catherine Street and Corry Square Car Park.
