About time politicians show confidence in Cavan - Keogan

The ongoing €800,000 transformation of the Imperial Bar on Cavan’s Main Street reflects the owner’s confidence in the town - now he’s urging politicians to show the same confidence.

The groundfloor extension of the landmark premises is rapidly taking shape, and work is due to be completed by the end of February. Owners Donal and Karen Keogan promise a whole new bar experience for the town with 10 additional full-time jobs.
“We purchased the Multisound premises in 2009 and now with innovative design, the floor area of that premises has been incorporated into the Imperial Bar, which has nearly doubled our street frontage,” said Mr Keogan.
The current project will take the investment in the premises over the past twelve months to over €2m. In 2015 they undertook a €1.2m revamp of the first floor niteclub, which Mr Keogan now rates it as amongst the finest in Europe – “right up there with the best”.
The Keogans’ investment - which comes on top of their initial €1million-plus upgrade when they purchased the Imperial back in 1998 - is a sign of the confidence they have in their home county.
“You have to move with the times and people are now beginning to get a lot more positive. We are from Cavan and we are very proud to be from Cavan and we love Cavan Town and the people,” said Mr Keogan.
“We are trying to get more people to come into Cavan Town and that is why we are making this investment and it will be good for a lot of other businesses in the town,” added Donal Keogan.
As a businessman in the town Donal lashed out at the IDA’s dismal record in attracting investment into Cavan Town since the arrival of Pauwels Trafo 41 years ago. He says our public representatives must be held accountable.
“With an election on the immediate horizon, the time is now opportune to confront all the candidates in this constituency and ascertain what they propose to do about bringing jobs to Cavan. It is small business people like me that are creating jobs – that is all we really now have in Cavan Town – we don’t have an recent inward investment in jobs here from the government,” said Donal Keogan.
Whilst the election is on everyone’s mind, the Keogans are also eagerly anticipating the impact of their newlook Imperial. When complete, it will include a snug bar with an eye catching open fire, while the previous Imperial Bar will have “a very attractive food offering”.
“The new pub premises that is now being created will bring an atmospheric ambience to rival the best in town or city. We are really looking forward to it opening and we are positive about the future and the challenge,” says Mr Keogan.