A historic Dungarvan pub has been nominated in a national competition to find Ireland’s Favourite Local Business.

The Lady Belle, located in Grattan Square, has been put forward for the 2026 competition.

The pub dates back around 200 years and takes its name from the merchant steamer Lady Belle, which operated out of Dungarvan for decades before being bombed while returning from Cardiff during the Second World War.

The business has been run by the Morrissey family for 33 years.

Owner Deirdre Morrissey said the pub has always been a major part of family life.

‘The pub has been in my family for 33 years, after being started by my mum when I was 12,’ she said.

‘It was a family-run business from day one, and working in the pub became second nature. It was like an extension of the house.’

Ms. Morrissey later returned to take over the full-time management of the business and said local pubs remain an important part of Irish culture and community life.

The business which receives the most nominations will win a €1,000 Town & City Gift Card, with one person who nominated the winning business also receiving a €1,000 card.

Nominations remain open until November 30th.