Things are ticking over rather nicely at the Porterhouse group, co-founded by barrister Oliver Hughes. Accounts for the 12 months to the end of last February have trickled in over recent weeks for its various companies, though there is no consolidated set of group figures to give a concise picture of its overall performance.

The group incorporates about seven bars, five restaurants, Lillie’s Bordello nightclub, the Dingle Distillery and its brewing operations. There appears to be nothing for Hughes to drown his sorrows over.

A Pint of Plain is the main holding company, to which the others kick their dividends. It made a profit of about €400,000. Accounts haven’t dropped yet for Lillie’s and the Porterhouse Central in Dublin. But the Bray outlet, the original of the Porterhouse species, lost €375,000.

Its Parliament Street pub, via the company Iskasinc, made profits of €320,000, while the pub in Glasnevin made a small €35,000 loss. The tapas bars in the group, including those at Dundrum town centre, Temple Bar and South William Street, all appear to be profitable.

I also hear that co-founder Frank Ennis, who owns about 30 per cent of the group, is in the process of being bought out by the other shareholders.