A couple who first met in Australia before returning home to Northern Ireland are now the outright owners of a well-known restaurant in Co Tyrone.
Niall McKearney, originally from the county, first met future wife Lisa in the Australian outback 12 years ago.
While they were still living abroad, The Gables in Dungannon came onto the market and the pair returned home to run it on a leasehold basis.
But they have now been able to make a six-figure investment in the property and become its outright owners with the support of Ulster Bank.
Niall was already familiar with the venue after first working in it as a glass collector while he was young, continuing to work there even after becoming a joiner.
“I went from collecting glasses to working front of house and managing the food service. Even as a joiner, The Gables was special to me.
“I loved working there – the business, the community, the customers.
“There was always a part of me during those years that imagined a day that I might run this place.
“It eventually came onto the market and even though we were on the other side of the world the draw of the place still brought me home.”
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Niall and Lisa, who’s originally from Tipperary, returned to Northern Ireland in 2017 where they married. They took over the lease of the business in October the following year.
“That was a lease-to-buy arrangement, originally for two years, but Covid came into the frame and everything changed,” Niall said.
“It would be five years before we finally got everything over the line with the support of Mary and the team at Ulster Bank.”
Mary O’Neill, business development manager at Ulster Bank, said the business now has the momentum and resources to grow.
“Niall and Lisa are bringing renewed energy to the business and we’re very pleased to provide the funding facilities that are helping make this years-long dream a reality.
“The Gables is a local landmark, sitting at the heart of the community, a real asset that will continue to grow as an important tourism and hospitality destination under their management.
“We’re committed to supporting small business owners right across Northern Ireland and we’re proud that ambitious entrepreneurs like Niall and Lisa are returning home to strengthen the local economy and add real value to communities.”
The duo took ownership of the business in late 2023 and already have ambitious plans to expand.
“We’re exploring options, but recognise the huge potential of the site for redevelopment to accommodate overnight stays,” Niall said.