Final touches put on restoration of landmark Laois pub front in Portlaoise

Painters have put the final touches on a painstaking restoration and redecoration of the famous Ramsbottom and Sons pub in the heart of Portlaoise.

Killeigh painter and publican Willie Grennan was deftly and carefully applied the final touches of gold paint to the sign over the entrance of the pub in Main Street.

The second oldest pub in Portlaoise is now under the management of Clonaslee resident and Tullamore Jack Wallace. The completion of the painting work marks the end of the beginning of a new chapter in the landmark premises which began in November 2023 when Jack took it over.

He is delighted with the time-consuming and costly work on the pub front which has conservation status meaning that any work done on Rambsbottom's must be restricted to unrepairable parts.

"It looks lovely now thank God," he said.

Most recently painted yellow, timbers in parts of the front had rotted out and were filled in place with expanding foam.

Soon after taking over Jack recruited Portlaoise-based carpenter Brendan Barry to carry out the essential joinery repair and restoration. A limited amount of timber had to be replaced due to decay.

Conservation status meant that only rotten timbers could be repaired which meant extra care had to be taken with the building which has been a pub since the 1860s. Only the nearby Humes pub predates it. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Finishing touches being put on the paintwork by Willie Grennan.

When deciding on colours Jack researched and chose those which seemed to be the most often used to adorn it down the years. The old pictures he found indicated that red and green were the most popular so he went with that. Jack believes that the restored and redecorated outside is a key part of the pub's equally authentic inside.

The work has not come without a hefty investment. He said the cost incurred was due to the careful and sometimes tedious need to blend new hardwood with existing sound timbers that had to be retained.

Apart from the front Jack has also invested in the pub in other ways by adding a bar, smoking area and stage to the rear of the building near the end of Main Street.

"We're getting really positive feedback. It's now a party venue as well," he said.

Jack is planning some more work on the Portlaoise business but has made no major changes to the front bar other than restoring some rotted timber. He has plans for some more decoration inside to bring more of the authentic feel of the front bar back.

The proprietor is planning an event in mid-November to celebrate the anniversary of taking over the pub. He welcomes locals along to see for themselves the work done.