Oliver Hughes, founder of The Porterhouse pub chain, dies aged 55

THE owner of a popular British and Irish pub chain has sadly passed away.

The Porterhouse co-founder Oliver Hughes died in Ireland on Saturday evening, aged 55.

It has been reported that Mr Hughes had been treated for a heart condition in recent weeks and had been resting at his Dublin home at the time of his death.

It is believed he died of a suspected heart attack.

A former barrister, Oliver Hughes and his cousin Liam La Hart founded the Porterhouse Group in 1989, opening their first pub in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

From there, they were among the first to open microbreweries in London, New York and Dublin as well as popular Dublin nightclub Lillie's Bordello.

Their London bar is located in Covent Garden.

Popular with Irish patrons, it stayed true to its Irish roots and serves handcrafted Irish beer brewed in Dublin specifically for the Porterhouse.

Mr Hughes and Mr La Hart also opened a distillery in Dingle, Co. Kerry in 2014 producing whiskey, gin and vodka.

Their first malt was bottled earlier this year.

The Porterhouse Group employs over 500 people across its network.

Tributes have been pouring in over social media for the well-known publican since his death at the weekend.

A spokesperson for The Porterhouse Group is expected to make a statement later this afternoon.

Mr Hughes is survived by his wife and two children.

Here are some of the tributes to Oliver Hughes on Twitter:

Oliver Hughes put a pint of Plain in my hands many moons ago, haven't looked back. Cheers https://t.co/rbJe4Z7Lfu

— 57ᴛʜᴇʜᴇᴀᴅʟɪɴᴇ🍻🇮🇪 (@57theheadline) August 1, 2016

A jewel from the late Oliver Hughes. Oliver - you will be missed! RIP https://t.co/dzfWenQ9kN

— Dean McGuinness (@BeerMessiah) August 1, 2016

keeping reading the tweets and thinking it must be a different Oliver Hughes , but it isn't, it's our friend , what can you say ? very sad

— GlasTombury Dunne (@tomhappens) July 31, 2016

That's exactly what Oliver Hughes was. They said it couldn't be done; he proved them utterly wrong. Some epitaph! https://t.co/WcX581xLIh

— Tom Doorley (@tomdoorley) July 31, 2016

Shocked to hear or passing of Oliver. A proper gentleman that was always happy to pass on his incredible knowledge https://t.co/fVdByQM5lY

— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) July 31, 2016

Shocked & very sad to hear about Oliver Hughes.
A total gent & a true character.
Never a dull moment in his company.
Gone way too soon. 💔

— Síle Seoige (@SileSeoige) July 31, 2016