Cork's legendary gay bar Loafers up for auction
The now derelict site of the beloved Loafers bar on Douglas Street in Cork is expected to be sold under auction next Thursday, February 17.
The historic site, which includes the bar and an upstairs apartment, has been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair since it closed its doors in May 2015.
Ireland’s oldest gay bar Loafers set to go under the hammer https://t.co/6DdHw7UhiR— Property District (@PropDistrict) February 7, 2022The bar was first opened in 1983 by Derek Gerrity, making it one of the country’s longest-running LGBTQ+ bars and a crucial part of Cork’s queer community.It attracted all members of the LGBTQ+ community as well as other alternative groups.
By dedicating the back bar as a women-only space on Thursday nights, it played a key role in creating a safe and inclusive space for the entire community.In a conversation with Orla Egan for the Cork LGBT History website, Derek explained his reasons for opening the bar. “I just wanted to have a bar where I felt comfortable myself.
