Marty Morrissey to reopen landmark Laois pub

THE lights will be switched on again at a landmark Laois pub, when Marty Morrissey officially opens the newly restored O’Connell’s Bar & Kitchen.

The lights went out at the traditional pub in Cullohill at the start of the Covid pandemic. It was later sadly put up for sale by owners William and David O’Connell, having been in the same family for over a century.

Now a joyful ‘Marty Party’ is in store on Friday 16 October, when the RTÉ legend turns on the lights again at the beautifully revived pub and restaurant.

New owners Anne Marie (née McMahon) and John Scanlan, both retired senior gardaí who live locally, have enjoyed restoring the pub to its former glory. Anne Marie is a former Deputy Garda Commissioner, while John retired as Laois/Offaly Garda Chief Superintendent three years ago.

Anne Marie said: “I can’t think of anyone better than the wonderful Marty Morrissey to turn the lights back on after its closure in 2019 and declare O’Connell’s Bar and Kitchen and guest accommodation officially open.” 

It has been a labour of love for the husband and wife team, who said they were determined to recognise and respect the legacy of the O’Connell family throughout the restoration.

Run by the O’Connell family since 1917, the public house served as a rural hub for groceries and petrol and was a post office and even a grain depot at one point. It was here in later years that the roots of the famous Ballymaloe food legacy were sown, as Darina Allen (née O’Connell) and her brother Rory O’Connell learned their passion for food from their mother Elizabeth, who was widowed at an early age.

The building has had a complete makeover yet keeps the O’Connell family tradition alive, with wood panelling from the original bar incorporated into the new venue. The renovation project caught the public imagination on social media, with millions of views on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

The project, which includes four ensuite boutique guest rooms, was partly funded with €290,000 from Bord Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme.

The restaurant team, led by chef Danny Parker with Roland, Kiara and Michelle Spenser, focuses on quality home-produced food, offering a destination to stop and dine as well as a place for locals to meet up and celebrate special occasions.

Anne Marie said: “The funding considerably enhanced our ability to develop the tourist accommodation. O’Connell’s Bar & Kitchen and guest accommodation is also providing employment in the area and has brought life back to the village.

“I want to thank everyone for their input since John and I started on this journey. Now, after all the hard work has been done and we are completely up and running, we are delighted to officially open O’Connell’s Bar and Kitchen and proud to offer the rich hospitality and food that it is renowned for.”