Iconic Mayo pub goes on the market

An iconic East Mayo pub has gone on the market.

Teach O'Hora has been a mainstay on Kiltimagh’s Main Street since 1966.

Owner Marty O’Hora and his wife Marie have taken the difficult decision to put the much-loved public house up for sale. The pub and adjoining off-licence will continue to trade until a buyer is found and the family’s undertaker business is separate and will not be impacted by any sale.

“Our regulars aren’t surprised as we have openly spoken to them about the fact that we were thinking about it," explained Marty. "Our plan is that we will work the bar until it's taken over, it’s not going to close. Our customers are happy with that and they are happy for us that we have made the right decision for us."

Marty took over the running of the pub from his late father Aiden and this year is his 50th behind the bar.

“Over the last number of years, it’s something we have been thinking about. We are both pensioners now and while there is a few years left in the old legs we wanted to think about our future. You’re working every day of the week,” Marty told the Western People.

“I’m sure I will really miss it. When you are doing this job for so long and put so many hours into it then it’s going to be a change. I’m sure when I turn the key in it for the last time it’s going to be very emotional,” he added.

The O’Horas are proud to have left behind a profitable business and hope the premises will continue as a pub when a new owner comes in.

When Marty’s Dad first opened the pub it consisted of a front bar and a small lounge. The premises grew significantly to become a legendary venue for live music, community hub and purveyor of fine food. Marty’s brother John oversaw the design of the pub as it expanded.

“I’m the eldest of six and we all worked in the bar growing up. We would be up there grading bottles, stacking shelves and helping out whatever way you could. I’m 50 years on the books as a full-time employee but I’m probably closer to 60!” Marty joked.

“I was 20 years working with Dad. I remember mentioning this to an English fella one time and he told me 'I only know of one other person serving a longer apprenticeship that you'. I asked 'who might that be?' ‘Our very own Prince Charles!’, he said.” 

Aiden was an influential figure within Fianna Fail in the county and the pub has always been a hotbed of political debate and discussion.

“Whatever your political persuasion you were always welcome in the pub. A lot of our best customers would have been Fine Gael at the time,” said Marty.

A former chairperson of the Mayo branch of the Vintners' Federation, Marty has seen first-hand the changes and challenges for the bar trade. A total of 135 pubs have closed in Mayo in the past 20 years.

“It is tough and people are worried for the future," he says. "Trade has fallen off and the Government has done very little for the small and medium-size enterprises. We were the tax collectors going back for years and years for the Government and now our backs are to the wall.” 

Marty and Marie heaped praise on the loyal customers who sustained and supported them over years.

“We are so grateful to our customers who have always been there for us and supported us,” said Marty.