In Pictures: Laois pub ribbon cutting features Marty Morrissy and Darina Allen

RTÉ star Marty Morrissey was among the guests at O’Connell’s in Cullohill for the official cutting of the ribbon on the landmark Laois pub following its extensive renovation.

​A large crowd descended on O’Connell’s, the childhood home of famous Irish chefs Darina Allen and Rory O’Connell, last Friday night to mark its official opening into a gastropub and guesthouse.

Run by the O’Connell family since 1917, the pub once sold groceries and petrol and even served as the post office and grain depot. It was here that Ballymaloe Cookery School’s co-founders began their cooking journey and learned their work ethic from their widowed mother, Elizabeth, with the family still regularly back for visits.

The pub shut at the outset of the Covid pandemic and was subsequently sold by William and David O’Connell to retiring senior Gardaí Anne-Marie and John Scanlan who have settled in south Laois.​

With support from their children Jack and Sheila, they oversaw a loving restoration of the property into a modern hospitality venue, employing local tradespeople, retaining its character and even some of its furniture.

The destination business now includes four ensuite boutique guest rooms, attracting guests from across Europe via Airbnb.

The busy restaurant focuses on Irish ingredients, under the watchful eye of Chef Danny Parker, Roland, Kiara and Michelle Spenser. They serve breakfast and lunch daily and evening dinners Thursday to Saturday.

John Scanlan, a former Laois Offaly Chief Superintendent, told the Leinster Express / Laois Live more.

“It’s amazing. People have been very good to us. I am in awe of what has been achieved. We’re not exactly on Portlaoise Main Street; there’s just a post office, a garage and an agri store here in Cullohill, we’re swimming against the tide.

“We are holding card nights. Heidi Higgins, the Laois fashion designer, did a stitch and sew night, we’ve had painting nights, a wine night, and more events to come.

“We also have a special farmers’ lunch offering, and they are coming in in big numbers; a lot of them would be bachelors, they’re able to meet and greet. We welcomed an entire cohort from a nursing home because we are wheelchair accessible.

“We do collabs with the pet farm and Dunmore Country School. We’ve had tourists from Holland, Sweden, Spain, we’ve brought them up the mountain and to view Cullohill castle that's 600 years old. There’s as much history here in a square mile as there is in Bunratty,” he said.

They were helped with a €290k grant towards the costly renovation, from Failte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking scheme.

Anne-Marie thanks everyone for their support.

“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 of Cullohill.

“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.

“I can’t think of anyone better than the wonderful Marty Morrissey to declare us officially open,” said Anne-Marie.

Head of Just Transition, Fáilte Ireland Gráinne Cornally said the opening marked a “significant milestone” for Cullohill and an excellent example of Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme.

"This project’s updated accessible offering will strengthen the tourism offering in Laois, encouraging more visitors to spend more time in the area and support the local economy," she said.

Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said the project shows how the EU Just Transition Fund can deliver benefits.

"By bringing a valued community landmark back into use, creating employment and expanding the visitor offering in Cullohill, this project will encourage people to spend more time in Laois and support businesses across the wider Midlands,” she said.

Elaine Moore, Tourism Officer, Laois County Council, said the business is a significant addition to the Tourism.

"It not only creates local employment opportunities but restores important focal points for the community of this area,” she said.

​The pub was last renovated in 1964 and in a poignant moment Marty unveiled a photograph of the Cullohill hurling team who won the county final in 1964. Surviving members Paddy Campion, Martin, Paddy and Jimmy Mahon and Mikey Kirby were there.