I turn my back for five weeks...

Amazing the things that happen when one disappears for a while.

I came back after my adventures in SE Asia and South America to find that the Hideout has once again been sold, this time for €2.3 million.

Now the property is owned by a consortium led by the Nolan and Brophy families, which settles it into a traditional Kilcullen business background not a long way in relationship terms from my own family which bought the premises originally back in the early part of the 20th century.

Underbidder was the current lessee of the pub, the genial and hard-working Martin Myles, whose existing tenancy has 39 months to run.

Brian Byrne.