End of an era as iconic Portlaoise publican reflects on his wonderful career

Iconic Laois publican, Seamus Donoghue has called time on his long tenure as the proprietor of Donoghue’s Pub in Market Square, Portlaoise.

For 52 years, Seamus worked in the much beloved pub, which has been the cornerstone of many a night out and family gathering over the past number of decades.

In January of this year, Seamus made the decision to close the doors at Donoghue’s, retiring from an extraordinary career.

The Portlaoise publican became a national figure in 2004 when he became President of the Vintners Association of Ireland (VFI).

This was a tumultuous time for the VFI, with Ireland becoming the first country in the world to introduce a smoking ban in pubs in that same year.

As President, Seamus led the VFI in their 2005 battle with then Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell.

“He deregulated the taxis, and he wanted to do the same with the bars,” Seamus told LaoisToday.

The idea of bringing in café bars, with a licence fee of just €5,000 caused huge uproar with the VFI, who’s members were paying licence fees of €180,000.

By June of 2005, Mr McDowell had been forced to back down on his plans, instead introducing a new “compromise deal” to allow restaurants to serve other alcohol besides wine – but not the proposed new café bars.

Away from politics, Seamus spent over half a century working in the Portlaoise pub, which has been in the Donoghue family since 1946.

Seamus worked with his father for seven years until he passed away 1979, with Seamus taking over the pub in 1980.

Three years later, Seamus put his own stamp on the business, completely revamping the premises.

The pub brought Seamus great joy for the next forty years, until he eventually made the decision to retire.

In that time, Seamus says he seen the Irish pub change dramatically, from the 1960s through to the ’70s, the ’80s and all the way up to today.

He says he has been incredibly lucky to have had the support of the public and the community in Portlaoise, and made many friends along the way.

Seamus says he is extremely lucky to have had the privilege of becoming friends with two and three generations of the same families.

As a young man, Seamus spread his wings and set off to North America.

He worked in the cities of Edmonton and then Calgary, both Alberta, Canada, before heading south of the border to the USA.

Seamus worked in a bar in New York City for a year before setting off to explore the rest of the country.

Invited home by his parents, Seamus returned to Portlaoise where he would go on to create an extraordinary reputation for both himself and his family pub.

Donoghue’s Pub is now on the market, with the sale being handled by JP Younge Auctioneers.

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