Developers planning to open the Cuckoo’s Nest within 12 months

DEVELOPERS of the landmark Cuckoo’s Nest Pub on the Greenhills Road are hoping to start construction work in April with plans to open up within 12 months.

Developers Brian and Jimmy Mulvaney are expected to lodge revised plans with South Dublin County Council which include plans for apartments and a new pub/restaurant.

People in the community driving past the famous pub will have noticed over the last few weeks that the old main back lounge was demolished along with Peadar’s Bar and the Taxi Cab office.

All that is left now is the shell of the Cuckoo’s Nest Pub house, which was bought by the Lynch Family in the 1960s and ceased trading in May 20, 2015.

The new developers, the Mulvaney Brothers, from St Peter’s Crescent in Walkinstown, purchased the pub last July, for a sum believed to be in the region of €1.2 million from previous owner Michael Keogh who built the Temple Woods housing development on the site.

Proposed plans unveiled by The Echo, show drawings for the development of a terrace at the front of  the old building, with the pub continuing along the ground floor of the old house and below the new apartments, to include a snug, dining area and pub area.

There is proposed plans for 11 apartments above the new development with balconies and roof terraces and a retail facility to the right of the old house.

The developers meanwhile also have purchased units and the yard to the side of the betting office and Tallaght Theatre and this area will be used for extended car parking.

The site has been cleared out recently and ground preparation work is complete allowing for revised plans expected to be lodged by their architect within weeks.

An artist impression of the new drawings for The Cuckoo’s Nest

Speaking with The Echo on Tuesday developer Jimmy Mulvaney said: “We are hoping construction work starts by the end of March early April.

“It would be our aim to get the pub open hopefully for St Patrick’s Day 2023 but there is a lot of work ahead of us.

“There is a bit of nostalgia with the site for us. My father looked to buy the pub back in 1962 but my grandfather could not lend him the money to buy it.

“My grandfather used to dairy farm and graze his cattle up here on the land and drink in the pub.

“It’s an icon of the Greenhills Road. It’s a landmark. It would have been a shame to see it go any other way. We are looking forward now to finishing the job and working with the local community.”

WORKS: Ground preparation works behind The Cuckoo’s Nest with the Wicked Chicken and large lounge demolished with only the old house standing

The Mulvaney Brothers, also own The Castle Pub in Rathfarnham Village along with Molloy’s in Talbot Street and pubs in America.

Two years ago, planning permission was granted by An Bord Pleanala for a cafe and first floor apartment in the original Cuckoo’s Nest building – and an extension to the existing building to accommodate 15 apartments.

An Bord Pleanala had approved a planning application for the demolition of the rear and side extensions of the existing Greenhills Road building.

The original front part of the building would be retained to accommodate a cafe at ground level and an apartment overhead at first floor.

The Cuckoo’s Nest on the Greenhills Road

The planning application lodged by Legendstand also sought the construction of a three and four-storey building to the side and rear of the existing building to house 18 apartments.

However, in granting permission, ABP ruled that three apartments were to be omitted and the resulting space incorporated into six apartments – to meet the standards for four-person, two bedroom apartments.

Passing the planning application subject to 21 conditions, ABP also ruled that the on-street parking spaces at the eastern side of the application site at Temple Woods be retained.