The landmark, longstanding family pub which was once at the centre of the local community, switched its lights off at the outset of the Covid pandemic and was put up for sale by the owners William and David O’Connell.

It has been run by the O’Connell family since 1917 and as well as a public house served as a rural hub for groceries, petrol, a post-office and even a grain depot at one point.

It was here in later years the roots of the food legacy of Ballymaloe were sown, as Darina Allen and her brother Rory O’Connell learned their passion for food from their mother Elizabeth who was widowed at an early age.

And now the pub has been lovingly restored to its former glory, respecting and recognising the legacy of the O’ Connell family by the new owners Anne Marie and John Scanlan.

The new premises has had a complete make-over, designed to keep the family tradition in mind with wood panelling from the original bar incorporated into the brand-new venue. The project caught the imagination of social media garnering millions of views on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

The project, which includes four ensuite boutique guest rooms was partly funded to the tune of €290,000 through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme, which is co-funded by the EU and the Government of Ireland under the EU Just Transition fund.

Established in partnership with the EU the scheme is aims to diversify the regional economy through sustainable tourism development, creating jobs, supporting biodiversity and sustaining local communities across eight counties in Ireland’s Midlands.

“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,” said Anne Marie Scanlan.

Since completion, O’Connell’s Bar and Kitchen, the emphasis has been on home produced Irish food.

Under the watchful eye of Chef Danny Parker, Roland, Kiara and Michelle Spenser, the team at O’Connell’s have hit upon a winning formula and not only is it now a destination to stop and dine, but it has also become a place for the community and locals to meet up and celebrate those special moments.
Jack and Sheila Scanlan (O’Connell’s) with Marty Morrissey at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Marty Morrissey with Elaine Moore (Laois County Council Tourism Officer) at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey

“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 was renowned for.

“And I can’t think of anyone better than the wonderful Marty Morrissey to turn the lights back open after its closure in 2019 and declare O’Connell’s Bar and Kitchen and Guest Accommodation officially open!’ added Anne Marie.
Members of the Cullohill 1964 Laois Senior Hurling Championship winning team, who defeated Camross with a score of 4–04 to 4–03 in the final on November 29, 1964, Paddy Mahony, Paddy Campion, Jimmy Mahony and Martin Mahony pictured with Anne Marie Scanlan (O’Connell’s) and Marty Morrissey at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey

Welcoming the launch of the project Head of Just Transition, Fáilte Ireland Gráinne Cornally said: “The opening of O’Connell’s Bar and Kitchen and Guest Accommodation is a significant milestone for Cullohill and an excellent example of how investment through Fáilte Ireland’s Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme is helping to rejuvenate historic tourism assets back into use.

“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.
Darina Allen (Ballymaloe Cookery School) with Kathleen O’Sullivan, O’Connell family members, John and Anne Marie Scanlan (O’Connell’s), Marty Morrissey, and Grainne Cornally (Head of Just Transition Failte Ireland) at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey

 
School friends, Jimmy Kells with Darina Allen (Ballymaloe Cookery School), and Kathleen O’Sullivan at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey

“Across the Midland’s this scheme is supporting projects that build on the distinctive character and heritage of local communities while creating new opportunities for tourism businesses to thrive.

“O’Connell’s Bar & Kitchen is a wonderful example of a project that is now delivering those benefits for visitors, residents and the wider community.”
Owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan, at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill. Photo: Julie Harvey

Clare Bannon, Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly, said: “The restoration of O’Connell’s Bar & Kitchen shows how a locally led initiative funded through EU Programmes such as the EU Just Transition Fund can deliver benefits far beyond its immediate setting.

“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.
Marty Morrissey, with Jack, John and Anne Maire Scanlan (O’Connell’s), Minister Peter Burke (Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment), and Sheila Scanlan at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey

“Investments such as this strengthen the region’s tourism network, celebrate its distinctive heritage and help build resilient communities as we move towards a fair and sustainable economic transition.”

Elaine Moore, Tourism Officer,Laois County Council, said: “The opening of this business is a significant addition to the Tourism offering in South Laois and the county in general.

“It not only creates local employment opportunities but restores an important focal points for the community of this area.
Anne Marie and Jack Scanlan with Minister Peter Burke (Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment), and TD William Aird at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey

“Supported by the EU Just Transition Fund, O’Connell’s Bar & Kitchen is an excellent example of the type of sustainable economic and community development that the fund was designed to support, creating new opportunities for employment, tourism and local regeneration”.
Johnny Holland and Larry Phelan with Marty Morrissey at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan.
Photo: Julie Harvey
Angela Hogan with Sheila Scanlan (O’Connell’s) and Marty Morrissey, at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan.
Photo: Julie Harvey
Chef Dan Parker with Darren Burke (Kish Fish), at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan.
Photo: Julie Harvey
Una O’Connell at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan.
Photo: Julie Harvey
Grainne Jacob, at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan.
Photo: Julie Harvey
Brian Sugrue with Angela Hogan, Shawna Coxon, Yvonne and Eamonn Curley at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Angela McEvoy (Director of Services Laois County Council) with Padraig Fleming, at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Brian and Majella Dempsey at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Margaret Brislane with John Scanlan (O’Connells), Seamus Brislane and Richie Brislane at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Margaret Gorman, with Josephine Bergin, Norah Quinlan and Olivia Leonard at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Anne Fitzpatrick with Marty Morrissey, Annette Foyle and Shirley Bergin at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
The Kirby Family with Marty Morrissey at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Susan Lawlor with Bernie White, at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Elaine Moore (Tourism Officer); John Mulholland, Simon Walton, Director of Services LCC; Cllr Conor Bergin, Cllr Ollie Clooney and Cllr John King at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Grainne Cornally (Head of Just Transition Failte Ireland) with Anne Marie and John Scanlan (O’Connell’s), Elaine Moore (Laois County Council Tourism Officer) and Angela McEvoy (Director of Services Laois County Council), at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan.
Photo: Julie Harvey
Sheila Scanlan with Marian Mahony, Nancy Phelan and Anne Marie Scanlan (O’Connell’s) at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey
Paddy Campion with Tony McGuigan and Marty Morrissey at the official opening of O’Connell’s in Cullohill, hosted by owners John and Anne Marie Scanlan. Photo: Julie Harvey