Row brews over Joyce literary pub

James Joyce's novel mentions Hedigan's bar

A row is brewing over plans to demolish a pub featured in one of the world's great works of literature.

Hedigan's - also known as the Brian Boru pub in Dublin - is mentioned in James Joyce's renowned novel Ulysses.

Its owners want to knock down the 19th century bar and replace it with larger premises, including apartments and an office block.

The bar is located on the main road from the city to north Dublin's Glasnevin Cemetery where the fictional mourners in Ulysses stop off for a drink.

The novel's main character, Leopold Bloom, mentions the pub as he makes his way to Glasnevin for Paddy Dignam's funeral.

The pub has also been a popular stop-off for real-life mourners on their way to the cemetery.

Some Dublin city councillors said the site should be preserved for its literary and historical merit.

"The proposed replacement looks awful and there is no provision for the historical aspects of the site," said councillor Nicky Kehoe.

Processing objections from councillors and members of the public would take months, he said.

Another councillor, Mary Fitzpatrick, said it was crucial the pub's literary tradition was maintained.