Built in 1770 and originally known as Mayoralty House, the distinctive three-storey premises has for 30 years accommodated one of the country's best-known music shops. Now, owner Tommy Leddy is moving to new premises and saying a reluctant goodbye to a building he describes as "steeped in history".

Originally used for municipal functions, the building is an impressive period structure with many original features including large bay windows and a corniced roof.

Charles Stuart Parnell once addressed the people of the town from the centre window of what was then the first-floor ballroom. And Eamon de Valera is believed to have used the house as a hiding place during the civil war.

Since 1975, when Tommy Leddy bought the premises, his Sound Shop has earned a reputation as one of the best places to buy quality musical instruments in Ireland.

"At that time the building had been derelict for six or seven years and because of that and because of the sheer size of the place, local people thought I was crackers.

But business-wise it proved to be the best move I could have made. Back then Wurlitzer home organs were our big thing. In the late 1970s we were selling four or five every week priced at between 2,540 and 11,428" says Tommy who runs the business with his son, Patrick.

Accommodation in the building consists of 260sq m of office space, retail space on the first floor extending to 260sq m and retail space and stores on the second floor extending to 260sq m. Part of the building is used as a music school and the three floors in the school block each extend to 61.4sq m.

According to selling agents Sullivan Auctioneers, the property would be suitable for a variety of retail or commercial uses and has significant development potential.

"In the early days a lot of space was given over to vinyl LPs, " recalls Tommy. "Of course all that changed with the arrival of the compact disc. Then for years we had a reputation for back catalogue collections . . . the kind of compilation you get free now with your Sunday newspaper."

A year ago Tommy decided to stop stocking CDs and audiotapes altogether. "It was a response to music trends.

With more and more music downloaded off the internet, it no longer made commercial sense.

"The guitar is the big seller these days. And after that keyboards and drum kits. A lot of girls are interested in drums today. That, I suspect, has something to do with the fact that the Corrs have a female drummer."

Over three decades, Tommy Leddy's reputation as a purveyor of high-quality musical instruments has spread countrywide.

"People, including musicians, come from all over Ireland to shop here. Roughly 20% of our business is local.

The rest of our customers come from Dublin and farther afield."

It's because of this client profile that Tommy is moving to new premises at the East Coast business park, close to the motorway.

"We don't rely on a passing trade any more. When CD sales were an important part of our business that was the case. Now, with people driving from all over Ireland to visit our shop and to purchase musical instruments, parking is most important.

And parking is a problem when you're located in the middle of town. Where we're going, we'll have 42 private car parking spaces and access to some more.

"If we don't do what we're doing now, we'd leave the door open for a rival, maybe a major European competitor, to make the move we're making. But this is a beautiful building. And after 31 years I'll be sad to leave it, that's for sure."

For more information contact Sullivan Auctioneers, 041 - 983 6453