Fallon & Byrne’s once expanding food empire has been reduced to just one location on Exchequer Street, now that it no longer holds the contract to operate The Pavilion Cafe in the People’s Park in Dún Laoghaire. 

The contract, which Fallon & Byrne has held since 2014, is worth an estimated €7.7 million over the lifetime of the contract, which is 60 months, and has been open for tender through Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) since March 2022. 

The restaurant can seat around 60 people and includes a coffee shop and outdoor seating areas. The end of Fallon & Bryne’s tenure there represents the end of the brand’s once-great expansion plans. 

The closure of their Rathmines shop in the Swan Centre over the Christmas period of 2019 came just before the exit of Fiona McHugh and Paul Byrne, two of the three founders. 

Frank Murphy led the investor group who took over from McHugh and Byrne, with Brian Fallon, the remaining founder At the time, Murphy made it clear that Exchequer Street would be the company’s main point of focus. 

“Fallon & Byrne developed from the innovative offering at Exchequer Street and that is where we see the most potential for growth in the short to medium term,” Murphy said.

Co-founder Fallon added: “Fallon & Byrne has become an institution, nurtured into a brand synonymous with quality products and service offering. We are focused on continuing to protect and build the unique offering that originated at the Exchequer Street location.”

In place of Fallon & Byrne in Dún Laoghaire will be an offering from Simply Irish (SI) Cafe. The brand is part of the Mange Tout hospitality group run by husband-and-wife team Brian and Tara Beattie, who won the tender from DLRCC.

Brian and Tara Beattie, of Simply Irish Cafes.

After starting the brand at Castletown House – in Celbridge, Co Kildare, the group currently operates SI Cafes in five other locations including four in Dublin: the Coach House in Newbridge House and Farm, Donabate; the School House in St Enda’s Park, Rathfarnham; the Tower cafe in Glasnevin Cemetery; and in Faughs GAA Club.