There is sadness in Monasterevin and its environs this week following the death of Pat O’Brien, the hugely popular proprietor of the Nag’s Head pub in the town.
Located on the old Dublin Road, the Nag’s Head is an iconic old-style local pub, which at one stage had the traffic of the country going by its door on a minute-by-minute basis.
Pat was a much-loved member of the local community and the Nag’s Head was a typical, welcoming pub and often a home for Monasterevin GAA supporters to discuss the big local GAA events of the day.
Indeed many Laois supporters would have stopped in on their way home from Croke Park over the years, particularly before the motorway was opened.
Aged in his mid 60s, Pat was part of the first Leaving Cert class in St Paul’s in Monasterevin in 1978, the local school which had opened its doors only a couple of years earlier under the guidance of founding principal Noel Maher.
A footballer with Monasterevin at underage and senior level in his younger years, Pat worked in Laois and Kildare County Council before running the family pub.
Pat is predeceased by his father Seamus and is survived by his mother Kay (nee Dowling), whose family incidentally own another great local family pub, the Hollow Bar in Mountmellick.
Pat is the much-loved brother of Pauline, Philip and Anne. Adored uncle of Niall, Orla and Colm, granduncle of Oisín and Billy Patrick and brother in law of Miriam.
He will be sadly missed by his family, Niall’s wife Caoimhe, Orla’s husband Rob, cousins, relatives, many friends and all his customers in the Nags Head.
Reposing at the Chapel of Rest, Monasterevin on Tuesday from 4 to 8pm, with Rosary recital at 8pm. Removal on Wednesday morning at 10.50am to arrive at St Peter & Pauls Church for 11am requiem Mass. Interment afterwards in St Evins cemetery.
