*Conor Murray. Photograph: Ivan O’Riordan
Lions captain Conor Murray is involved in a new business venture in Doonbeg.
The Clare Echo has learned that Murray is set to front a new-look Morrissey’s Bar and Restaurant that is expected to open on Saturday as part of a new lease agreement.
Limerick native Murray was on Saturday announced as the new captain of the Lions after original captain Alun Wyn Jones was ruled out of the series after picking up a shoulder injury in Saturday’s fixture with Japan at BT Murrayfield.
It is the thirty two year old’s third time touring with the Lions. The Patrickswell man becomes the second Limerick captain of the Lions in twelve years, following in the footsteps of 2009 captain Paul O’Connell.
Murray and the Lions landed in Johannesburg on Monday but his business interests back home are taking shape in the form of his involvement with a popular West Clare bar and restaurant.
A scrum-half with Munster, Conor’s involvement in the business means that two of the province’s top sporting stars will now be running different bars and restaurants on the one street. Clare footballer David Tubridy who last month became the all-time top scorer in the National Football League runs Tubridy’s Bar and Restaurant also located on Main St in Doonbeg.
An extra bit of sporting pedigree was also thrown into the mix with Galway hurler Joe Canning spotted in the village assisting his brother who was involved in the renovations of the premises.
Nolaclan have taken over the lease for Morrissey’s Bar and Restaurant and are set to open on Saturday. The Irish company which is viewed as one of the country’s most expansionary pub chains already has a portfolio of bars, restaurants and hotels across Ireland, including House in Belfast, Dublin and Limerick; The Oyster Tavern in Cork; and Larry & Nora’s in Navan.
Xico which is one of Nolaclan’s Dublin venues is noted as the haunt of Canadian singer Justin Bieber when he is in the capital.
Morrissey’s is owned by Hugh McNally since 2000, he is the fourth generation of his family to run the bar and restaurant in Doonbeg. He is a distant cousin of former US Vice President, Mike Pence.
