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Killarney entrepreneur and publican launches plan to tackle rising costs in bar trade
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Killarney entrepreneur and publican launches plan to tackle rising costs in bar trade
Local publican Sean O’Mahony has launched a new start-up company, Licensed Premises of Ireland, which will significantly reduce overheads for publicans as they prepare to re-open after lockdown.
O’Mahony, who runs the popular Faha Court is no stranger to innovation. In the run up Christmas 2019 he launched ‘Social Spin’ a rural volunteer taxi service that transported customers to and from country bars free of charge.
A well-known community activist, he donated his “Social Spin’ car to the Listry Meals on Wheels service while his pub is shut due to the pandemic.
It was during the lockdown that he turned his attention to money saving issues wihin in the pub trade.
He came up with the Licensed Premises of Ireland initiative which he hopes will create 10 new jobs across Ireland.
Licensed Premises of Ireland (LPOI) will provide services designed to reduce the cost of mainstream utilities for customers. The initiative will start by targeting everyday expenses that weigh heavily on licensed premises, including merchant services, cash handling, gas and electricity.
Licensed Premises of Ireland works with individual owners of pubs, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs to analyse their day to day running costs, and use new partnerships to see those costs reduced.
Licensed Premises of Ireland worked with a number of pilot premises during lockdown to identify where value could be achieved, with surprising results.
“It is quite fitting that the company chose to launch a year to the day that public houses and Licensed Premises throughout the country were first close., “ said O’Mahony.
“The bitter pill to swallow during this crisis, is that I was still paying for services even though my business was closed. Once I reviewed the expenditure for my own bar, I was shocked at some of the costs I was paying to be honest, It costs between €250 and €300 per day for a small pub just to open its doors. Unfortunately, I think I became somewhat complacent over the years and stayed with the same providers and suppliers out of pure convenience. We are excited for the future of Licensed Premises of Ireland and know that we can make a positive difference to the future of the licensed trade.”
€1m EuroMillions win at Centra The Reeks
Anthony O’Connor, Ciaran Culloty, Conor Healy, Elizabeth Nagle, and representatives from the National Lottery
Celebrations are underway in Killarney after Centra at The Reeks Gateway on Tralee Road sold a EuroMillions ticket worth €1,005,000 in the Friday, August 21 draw.
The lucky winner secured the life-changing sum through the special Ireland Only Raffle event after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket on the day of the draw.
Store owner John Bowler, who has operated the shop for over 20 years, expressed his delight after receiving the news from the National Lottery.
“There’s a great buzz around the store and we’re absolutely delighted,” Bowler said. “We have a mix of local customers and visitors coming through our doors every day, so the winner could be anyone. While we’ve sold fantastic prizes over the years, this is by far the biggest. It’s wonderful news for Killarney.”
National Lottery spokesperson Emma Monaghan urged anyone who bought a ticket at the store on Friday to check their numbers carefully. The ticket holder is advised to sign the back of the ticket, keep it safe, and contact the National Lottery prize claims team to arrange collection.
All photos: Eamonn Keogh
Pig’s Lane crowned Bar of the Year
Killarney’s subterranean venue Pig’s Lane emerged as a triple winner at the Bar of the Year 2026 Awards in Dublin on Monday night.
The College Street venue was named overall Bar of the Year, alongside taking Gold for both Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Designed Bar / Inside Space. The announcements were made at a gala ceremony hosted by Anton Savage at the Clayton Hotel on Burlington Road.
Operating under the family-run O’Donoghue Ring Collection, the underground cocktail bar and whiskey parlour opened in 2023. The venue previously secured Innovative Bar of the Year in 2024 and Best Designed Bar in 2025 before taking the top national prize this year.
Judges praised the venue for its “unmatched excellence across the board”. The broader O’Donoghue Ring Collection earned eight finalist nominations across three properties, including Café du Parc and The Kenmare Rooms.
“We are so proud to be crowned Ireland’s Bar of the Year 2026,” said founder Gemma Ring. “A huge amount of work, creativity, and passion goes into everything we do”.
Pig’s Lane derives its name from the historic 1800s designation for the thoroughfare connecting College Street to Railway Road. On September 11, the bar will host a collaborative evening featuring Michelin Bib Gourmand tapas from Dingle’s Solas paired with bespoke cocktails.
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