Seafood restaurant which recently opened on Cork's MacCurtain St set to expand nationwide 

A new seafood restaurant which has opened in Cork city is set to go nationwide with new outlets planned in Galway and at Dublin Airport.

The Salty Dog Cork had its official opening in Cork last week, with a new restaurant opened on MacCurtain St, with the new premises fitted out on the site which was previously occupied by Tara's Team Rooms. 

Salty Dog Cork has a capacity for more than 40 diners and will aim to replicate the success of Salty Dog Ballycotton, which opened in 2025.

The casual dining seafood concept restaurant will continue its nationwide expansion with a Salty Dog Galway planned for Eyre Square, with further outlets planned for Dublin Airport and for Dublin city.

The original Salty Dog opened in Ballycotton in May 2025, at the former Cush building by the village pier, and includes a pub and guesthouse. 

Fred Desormeaux, who is Flynn Cush group executive chef and is also the executive chef of Salty Dog Cork, where JP Morgan is head chef and Todd Ryan is restaurant manager. 

Salty Dog Cork follows on from the menu style of the original in Ballycotton. 

The restaurants also feature their own brew Salty Dog beer, a Bavarian-style lager which is brewed in Co Meath.

Flynn Cush leisure group managing director Oliver Falter said the Cork opening is just the first step for Salty Dog, with the rollout continuing over the next two years.

The Salty Dog brand is part of the wider Flynn Cush hospitality group, whose brands include the award-winning Cush restaurant in Midleton, Ballycotton Sea Adventures, and Sea Church Ballycotton, the former church which has been transformed into a spectacular venue for live music and events. 

The managing shareholder of Flynn Cush group is finance and technology entrepreneur and businessman Pearse Flynn.

Mr Flynn who was born in Ballycotton worked in tech companies including Compaq and Alcatel, and more recently in firms including Scottish credit and insolvency solutions firm Creditfix and Green Rebel Marine in Crosshaven. 

Mr Flynn has invested heavily in businesses in Ballycotton, where he also has a home.