Portarlington pub gives warm Mayo welcome to Laois

There was a warm welcome on the mat when we called in to O’Dea’s Bar and Bistro in Portarlington in the run up to Christmas for a well-known Mayo man who has a big place in his heart for Laois.

Allegiances to the home county of Mayo are well on display with photos of the 1950 and ’51 All-Ireland winning teams as well as the county colours and other memorabilia that connect the O'Dea proprietors to their home in the West.

This popular venue is owned and operated by brothers Kieran and Paraic O’Dea from Cross near Cong but they've spent many years in Laois.

Their father, Larry, who died in 2024, was a former Mayo footballer and served as principal of Cross NS for around 30 years. He also captained Kilmaine to a Mayo Intermediate title.

Larry commenced his teaching career in Kilmaine and Gortjordan and took up an assignment at Cross NS in 1971 where he rendered three wonderful decades of loyal and dedicated service to the pupils until his retirement in 2000. It was in the early 1960s that he met Mary Hession from Cross. They married and raised a family of five, Paraic, Dolores, Michael, Kieran and Lorcan.

Michael Commins, who is also a popular Radio broadcaster and has a country music column with the Farmers Journal,  worked in Laois earlier in his life in the Abbeyleix branch of AIB. During his time in the Midlands, he got involved in the local community, which led him to be a lifetime member and President of The Colt GAA club.

He was delighted to make a return visit to the O'Moore County when he spoke to The Mayo News, a sister publication of the Leinster Express / Laois Live. 

"I had a good chat with Kieran, who has now resided in Laois for close on four decades after moving there in his late teenage years. He spent the first seven years in Portlaoise and another eight in Portarlington before buying the business that is now known as O’Dea’s.

"It is very much an Olde World Pub with plenty of character and a place that cherishes its past and the local traditions. The homely open fire and the wonderful home-cooked food, under the guidance of Paraic in the kitchen, had made it a hugely popular destination for so many people.

"There is a strong GAA and rugby tradition in the area and, of course, the Gracefield side of the town is in Co Offaly which ensures plenty of local banter when Laois and Offaly meet in hurling or football.

"I had a lovely chat with Mick Flanagan, a Gracefield man, and a loyal customer who was singing the praises of the O’Dea brothers and their hospitable staff.

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"The lads are regular visitors to Cross where their mother Mary, their sister Dolores and brothers Michael and Lorcan still reside. They send their best wishes to all the folks back home around Cross, Cong, The Neale and Kilmaine.

"If you are down Portarlington way, check out O’Dea’s and you will be glad you did. Keep the flag flying, chaps," concluded Michael.