Big grant for revamp of Laois pub that inspired famous Ballymaloe duo

The revival of a Laois pub that was the cooking nursery for Ballymaloe siblings Darina Allen and Rory O'Connell is getting a boost in the shape of a substantial Fáilte Ireland grant to help its new owners realise their dream, making it a gastronomical destination in the midlands.

The Sportsman's Inn in Cullohill, aka O'Connells, is one of 18 projects around Ireland to share over €2 million in funding under the tourist body's Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. 

The money is part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme to help Laois and other midland counties in the move away from peat production. The grants are co-funded by the Government and the EU.

The Cullohill pub is getting funding under the development of sustainable tourist accommodation category.  Fáilte Ireland has allocated a total of €89,930 to help with the conversion of an existing residential unit at the property into four-bedroom ensuite accommodation for tourists.  

The pub won a reputation as a great place to eat when run by the late Elizabeth O'Connell. The mother of Darina Allen and Rory O'Connell of Ballymaloe Cookery School fame, threw herself into the business after her husband Richard, passed away when Darina was aged 14. Darina has often spoken about being inspired by her mother.

The pub was run by other members of the O'Connell family until Covid-19 but has been closed since. The O'Connell family had been the proprietors since 1916, when they took over the business from the Baird family.

However, the promise of a chapter for the premises appeared in 2024 when former Laois Offaly Garda Chief Superintendent John Scanlan and his wife Ann Marie, a former Assistant Commissioner at Garda HQ, took over. The last owners for William and David O'Connell.

They sought permission in 2024 for a single-storey extension to the rear and side of the pub along with internal modifications to the existing part single/part two-storey building which is also a residence. They told Laois County Council that the work would comprise a dining room, kitchen, toilets, and associated back-up spaces, a car-parking area, an effluent treatment system and percolation area. The existing first-floor residential unit will also be divided into two separate units for staff. Solar panels are also planned. 

Mr Scanlan welcomed the support for the project from Fáilte Ireland, especially given the rural location of the business.

"It is very important that we sustain rural Ireland," he said.

He was pleased to be involved in the project, which he said was in a region with a "rich cullinary history".

As to the timeframe, Mr Scanlan said he expected that construction work would start within a month, with the aim of being open for business by the summer of 2026 after a significant investment.

He said the last renovation of the premises was completed in 1964 by Elizabeth O'Connell, soon after she was widowed. He said a huge debt is owed to the former owner to for taking the risk at the time with a young family to support. 

Ms Allen expressed her joy with the development to the Leinster Express.

"This is an exciting new chapter in the history of the pub in Cullohill. Looking forward to seeing the new reincarnation. We all wish them well and continued success," she said.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live reported on their application which architects outlined the impact of closure and the benefits of reopening. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Rory Allen is the star of How to Cook Well on RTÉ.

"This has left a deep chasm in the community from a social and practical point of view. The applicants see an opportunity here to acquire this established business and under new ownership to progress the entity to a new stage, re-establishing the social focal point in the village, and continuing excellence in the provision of food, drink and hospitality.

"They also see the opportunity to build on the historical aspect of food production in this premises, and to strengthen it by the sourcing of the best of local Irish produce and its presentation through the kitchen to a very high standard, thus showcasing the culinary skills available also in the area. Having such a business re-established here in Cullohill will help to draw even more tourists to the area and enhance their experience of the area," it stated. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Limerick native John Scanlan and his wife Marie, from Clare, now live in Laois where the set up home will still serving in the Gardaí. Pic: Alf Harvey

The funding announcement also includes money for neighbouring Durrow. The Durrow Development Forum has been allocated  €9,840 for the development of digital trails for an immersive, self-guided exploration of the area's history and biodiversity.

There is a Laois link to one of the Offaly recipients. The Kinnitty Development Group is getting €53,436 for the enhancement of the Kinnitty Trailhead Centre with 24/7 accessible showers, secure bike parking, a visitor information area, and a meeting space for groups and community events.

This links into the Coillte Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Trail. There are more MTB trails open on the Laois side of Slieve Blooms, centred at Baunreagh. 

The trails are developed in partnership with Offaly and Laois County Councils and are funded by the Dept of Rural and Community Development, with additional funding support from Fáilte Ireland.

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Laois is one of eight counties in the EU Just Transition Fund geographic territory. The fund was created to support the regions and communities in Europe that are most negatively affected by the transition to climate neutrality and to promote socio-economic transition, ensuring that no one is left behind.

The funding programme in Ireland will support the areas in the wider Midlands where communities have been negatively affected by the closure of peat production and peat-fired energy generation facilities.

Ireland is set to receive up to €84.5 million from the EU Just Transition Fund over the period to 2027. With the Government of Ireland’s match funding using Exchequer resources, up to €169 million will be available in the period up to 2027.

Investment through the EU Just Transition Fund programme is targeted to support the diversification of local economies and the creation of new opportunities that complement the assets of the territory. The fund will also restore degraded peatlands and regenerate industrial heritage assets, as well as invest in smart and sustainable local mobility so t