One of Co Tyrone’s best known family-run pubs has been acquired by Patrick Scullion’s Oakleaf Group.
Hagan’s Bar in Dungannon has been in the family since it was purchased by Dominic and May Hagan in 1969.
Their son Paul and his wife Briege, who have been running the popular Irish Street venue since 1990, originally announced their retirement plans two years ago.
The Dungannon pub was later placed on the market for £1.25 million.
In a statement on Monday night, Paul Hagan confirmed 1 Oak Leisure Ireland Ltd were the new owners.
The company is the vehicle for property developer Patrick Scullion’s hospitality interests.
The south Derry businessman’s interests also span property development and specialist interiors.
His group already includes seven venues in Tyrone and Derry, including Time Bar, Clubland and the Cherry Tree bar in Cookstown.
“We already have a very strong footprint in Cookstown, so when the opportunity arose to acquire such a prestigious venue in neighbouring Dungannon, it seemed a very logical and exciting move for the company,” said Mr Scullion.
“Plans are already in the pipeline for a major refurbishment of the bar and associated beer garden with food being added to enhance the existing offering, but we’ll share those details in due course.”
The announcement comes just a few months after Oakleaf confirmed the acquisition of The Central Inn on Cookstown’s William Street.
The site is currently being redeveloped into ‘The 40 Thieves’, a new Irish-American themed pub due to open on October 5.
Some 23 new serviced apartments are also being developed at the site, with the first eight due to come online next month.
Oakleaf’s portfolio also includes The Harp and Fiddle in Strabane and The Black Sheep in The Loup, which was acquired in June 2023.
The company also owns the south Belfast premises previously home to well-known nightclub ‘The Fly’.
Oakleaf secured planning approval a number of years ago to redevelop the site into apartments.
Announcing the end of the Hagan family’s tenure at the Dungannon venue, Paul Hagan said the couple had worked hard down the years, expanding the venue into adjacent buildings, opening Bar Bella and the Bar 43 VIP lounge.
“We have enjoyed many years at the top of our game and we are very proud of that,” said the publican.
“But we couldn’t have done it without the fantastic staff that we had over the years, and of course all our wonderful customers.
“The Oakleaf Group has a wealth of experience in the hospitality business and I have no doubt we are leaving it in very safe and capable hands.”
