Popular Irish bar Molly Malones, in Courtenay Place, has closed.

Molly Malones (Wellington) Ltd was put into liquidation yesterday.

The company operating the bar is understood to owe over $100,000 in rent. Large sums are also understood to be owed to the Inland Revenue Department and liquor suppliers.

Built in 1907 - and originally called the Clarendon Hotel - the three-storeyed freehold property is on a 306-square-metre site and has a net lettable area of 919sqm, including balconies.

Company director Ewan Henderson is a former director of the Heritage Property Group which sold the building on the Taranaki St corner in 2011 to Wellington property investor Charlie Zheng.

Rent on the premises was more than $300,000 a year.

Henderson, who also operates the 3C bar on the corner of Chews Lane and Victoria St, could not be contacted for comment.