The most famous pub in Ireland is for sale – 60 years after John Wayne put it on the worldwide map.

American fans of The Quiet Man are being targeted by the agent selling Pat Cohan’s bar in the Mayo village of Cong.

The pub, which only gained a licence in 2008 after years as a grocery shop, is for sale for offers around $400,000.

But auctioneer Vincent Walsh believes The Quiet Man connection could push the price up for the iconic bar.

At the time the move was made in 1952, Cohan’s was the village grocery store.
It has seen become a tourist Mecca after director John Ford turned it into a bar for the movie.

The family run business was finally granted an alcohol licence in 2008.

Now the current owner has decided to sell-up due to poor health according to auctioneer Walsh.

He told the Irish Independent: “We’re looking for around $400,000 for the pub, but we’re open to offers.

“We’ve had a lot of enquiries about it, particularly from America and England.

“It’s a lovely piece of property and has a unique connection with the film. It was originally taken over in 2004 and a huge amount of refurbishment went into it until it opened as a pub in 2008.”

Quiet Fans from across the world have trekked to the pub for many years but like every other bar in Ireland, the recession has hit business.

One local source told the paper: “Outside the summer season, the bar business is very quiet. It’s been tough on rural publicans everywhere.

“And a lot of film fans who go into Pat Cohan’s don’t spend any money. Tourists and fans of the movie often go in, take a few photos, maybe use the bathroom and then leave without buying a pint.

“And that just doesn’t pay the bills.”