A Cheshire town’s first ever Irish bar, that was initially opened by Boyzone star Shane Lynch, has been closed down.
The Irish bar was originally launched in the historic market town of Knutsford as D13, named after Irish pop star Shane’s hometown Dublin postcode, in April 2021. But in 2023 it had changed names to The Rusty Shamrock.
Shane and his Real Housewives of Cheshire star wife Sheena Lynch were the public faces of the D13 bar when it first opened, which was run by their business partner, movie stuntman Nathan Gerhold.
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They transformed the 300-year-old building with “modern Irish” theming, including a Guinness Garden with sun-trap terrace at the rear of the property on King Street. A year after opening the Lynches spoke to the MEN of how happy they had been with the “warm welcome” into Knutsford.
The bar had initially opened as D13 – with Shane and Sheena Lynch on board (pictured with business partner Nathan Gerhold) -Credit:MEN
But in July 2023, the bar was renamed The Rusty Shamrock, at which point Shane is understood to have taken a step back from the business, with Nathan remaining as the boss of the Irish themed bar.
It remained a popular spot in the town, and welcomed famous faces including Shane’s pop star sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch of B*Witched who were pictured there in August 2024. It also regularly welcomed in local music talent for live performances.
But The Rusty Shamrock was shuttered just before Christmas, after the landlord repossessed the property.
A Notice of Forfeiture on the door of the building, Cheshire House, read: “Notice is hereby given that on 6th December 2024 the landlord peaceable [sic] entered and repossessed this property and the Lease which was granted on 12th October 2020 has been forfeited.”
The bar featured a large “Guinness Garden” at the rear, painted all in black -Credit:MEN
The owners of The Rusty Shamrock have declined to comment.
The good news for residents of the town is that the building will not remain closed for long. The MEN has spoken to the landlords who have confirmed that a new tenant has now been secured.
They have plans to reopen it as a bar, by as soon as by February. It is not yet known if it will continue the Irish theme or be an entirely new bar concept for the town.