Brothers John and Frank Smith, who own the Ashleaf Shopping Centre, are originally from Drimnagh and have built up a range of business interests over the years. But they are best known for the Submarine Bar in Walkinstown, one of the largest pubs in the State and a mecca for sports fans, particularly during the soccer season.
The brothers' businesses include a successful building supply firm on Greenhills Road and the Baggot Inn on Baggot Street Lower, with which Jack Charlton was associated. The revamped Submarine Bar, which they bought 14 years ago, forms an important part of the new Crumlin development. It is designed like a theatre, with seating running around a central stage area, and a big screen system costing £250,000.
John Smith says the pub can hold at least 1,200 people and is already attracting 12,000 customers per week.
Innovations include the four "corporate boxes" which have been sold on five-year leases for more than £100,000.
The deal gives clients use of separated areas on either side of the stage at any of the pub's major events.
Sport will remain the focus. Recent football matches have filled the pub and a pre-Cheltenham night was attended by leading figures from the horseracing industry.
The pub can insert its own advertisements during commercial breaks on its big screen - a facility that will allow the owners to promote the shopping centre and certain brands of drink associated with the bar.
The Smith brothers chartered a plane to take customers to the 1994 World Cup in the United States, and also chartered four helicopters and a train to lead a trip down to Millstreet for boxer Steve Collins' assault on the world title.
The pub was designed by architect Paul Joyce, who previously designed An Poitin Stil pub in Rathcoole and The Playwright bar in Blackrock, Co Dublin.
Plaster work surrounds the stage. The pub also contains beautifully restored seating taken from the old SFX Hall in the city centre. The cellar holds 500 barrels of beer.
After purchasing the Submarine Bar, the brothers took an interest in a company set up to develop a shopping centre on surrounding land.
They bought out their partner and went on to acquire an old warehouse and retail buildings on an adjoining site, the first step on the road to building the shopping centre that opens next week.
