Dublin pub the Playwright Inn was sold yesterday for a record price despite industry concerns about the effect of the smoking ban.

The pub was one of three put on the market recently by the Moran Hotel Group. The other two - the Baroque in Clondalkin and the Pierhouse Hotel in Skerries - will go under the hammer next week.

The €8.1 million secured by CB Richard Ellis Gunne's Mr John Ryan topped the €8 million he secured for the Yacht in Clontarf last year and is well ahead of the €7.3 million obtained for the Kestrel in Walkinstown.

The Playwright had been expected to make around €7.5 million.

Four bidders chased the Blackrock pub up from the opening level of €7 million. As it approached the €8 million mark, two dropped out before it was eventually bought for €8.1 million by a solicitor acting for an unidentified bidder.

"It is a real boost for the industry at this point to get a price like this," said Mr Ryan.

He said it was still too early to say whether the smoking ban has had an effect on prices generally.

"It clearly is an issue because it is a lifestyle change," he said. "However, I believe that, in the long term, it will be a positive factor for the industry."

Auctioneer Mr John Younge, who also specialises in the sale of public houses, said early indications were that the industry was coming to terms with the smoking ban.

"The feedback we are getting it that it is a positive move, particularly in relation to dining out," he said.

"It is early in the selling season but there have been quite a number of sales outside of Dublin and prices are holding up. If anything, we are finding that this year is more buoyant than last year."

Mr Younge was involved last year in the bid to sell the Submarine Bar in Crumlin. The owners, bothers Frank and John Smith, had sought €15 million. However, it was withdrawn at €8 million and was subsequently asking €13.5 million.