Former award-winning restaurant is up for sale

THE former award-winning Forge restaurant, located at Kilbride Cross, has had many guises. Built as a steward’s house in the 1700s, it was later used as a forge, a country shop and post office, and more recently as an eatery, renowned for its delicious home baking and warm welcome. One of Carlow’s most lovingly-restored buildings, a new chapter awaits The Forge, which was put on the market for sale earlier this month.

The Jordan family received an award from An Taisce for the careful and sensitive restoration of the building, retaining the original flagstone flooring and sash windows, and replica of the original timber work.

Current owner Mary Jordan told The Nationalist that it was “a pleasure” to restore and brought a great sense of satisfaction to the local tradesmen who were employed to work on the project.

Mary went on to run a very successful restaurant business at the premises, just a stone’s throw from the stunning Altamont Gardens, which attract thousands of visitors each year. She said there has been a huge amount of interest in the property, which speaks to the heart of the community.

“It was always a fun place and a meeting place, where lots of memories were made. We even hosted a few weddings,” she said. “Thanks to the customers who supported us and to the staff who made it. It was great to see people get their first job opportunities and flourish. I enjoyed cooking, baking and using local produce and promoting our local arts and crafts. It was always a junction and a meeting place and it would be lovely for it to keep its place in the community,” she said.

Located off the N80 outside Ballon, The Forge not only offers the opportunity to operate a viable food business but the building also comes with living quarters, and a barn that had previously obtained planning permission. 

The living area consists of a domestic kitchen, living room with a stove, sitting room with a fireplace and office space. Upstairs has three bedrooms with a toilet and shower room and hot press. Oil-fired central heating with a modern grant boiler is in place.

Commercially, the building has an attractive function room, which was once the actual forge with granite wall on one side, a stove and hanging space for artwork, with space for up to 40 people. An open reception area, wheelchair-friendly toilets with baby-changing facilities and an outdoor patio area with Liscannor slate offer an inclusive welcome.

In 2008, a large catering kitchen was built, which is fully HACCP compliant. There is also a cold room, easy delivery access, a Rationale oven and a baking area, making it an ideal food production environment for those interested in cheese making, baking, honey, preserves and local artisan foods.

Home baking was the hallmark of The Forge. Mary enjoyed planting herbaceous beds, native trees and herbs, providing pleasant environmentally-friendly surroundings. The property is brought to the market by Kehoe Auctioneers.