Lots of good wishes as Laois councillor opens Portlaoise Main Street office

A Laois county councillor who went back to college as a mature student, has announced the opening of his own legal practice.

Fine Gael Cllr Conor Bergin from the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District, is getting a warm reception from well wishers for his future success.

He announced his self employed business in early December.

"I am delighted to announce that I am officially opening my new legal practice Conor Bergin Solicitor at 71 Main Street, Portlaoise.

"This is the culmination of many months of hard work. Opening a new business, becoming self-employed and realising a lifelong ambition is a huge step for me personally.

"It is a huge privilege to be part of Main Street in our county town, and I have always believed that small businesses are the best businesses," he said.

He will be providing legal services in many areas including property, wills and injury cases, but not including crime or family law.

Cllr Bergin who lives in Borris-in-Ossory spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live recently about his decision to return to education.

“At the age of 31 I now know the Leaving Cert is not the end of the world. No-one will remember how many points you got. I wanted to do law in UCD but I didn’t get enough points. I did history and politics and ended up in politics. I went back to study law at 27. It shows you that things can work out even though I didn’t think so at the time,” he said.

Over 150 good wishes flooded in within hours for the councillor, who was first elected at the age of 2025, going on to become the youngest ever council Cathaoirleach in Ireland two years later.

It has been a busy year for Cllr Bergin, who went back to college as a mature student and qualified as a solicitor seven months ago. 

Last October he married his sweetheart, Portlaoise teacher Leonie Canavan in a wedding in Rome. See photos here

Read next: Bankrupted former Laois Offaly politican and auctioneer to convert stables to tourist accommodation 

Cllr Bergin was also appointed Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council's Borris in Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District in September.