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The people of Killarney were forced to do a double take when walking and driving through the centre of town this week after the front of the iconic Laurels Pub underwent a significant makeover. The old white, green and red colour scheme has been replaced with a stylish grey and gold look and the end result has been hailed as a major success by suitably impressed locals.

“It’s a big change,” says Kate O’Leary, proprietor of the famous old bar. “We’ve had the same colours for the best part of 20 years. I was looking at changing them but I couldn’t make a decision so I went to these interior designers. They picked out colours for me and at first I was like, ‘oh, I don’t know about that…’ but then I said, ‘they know what they’re talking about,’ and I took a leap of faith.”

“I’m absolutely thrilled with the results. It maintains the traditional feel of an Irish pub but at the same time it’s a very nice, striking combination of colours.”

The reaction locally has been equally positive, Kate explains.

“The feedback has been phenomenal. People have been ringing and texting just to say how much they like it. There are a couple of more gold touches to go on it and that’ll finish it off. It changes the look of the Market Cross.”

Kate is very active in the Killarney Chamber and she hopes that changes like this will improve the town’s chances in this year’s Tidy Towns.

“The more people who can do anything to improve their buildings, it’s all going to help.”