Image source: RIP.ie
The passing of Con O’Leary in Killarney has marked a real end of an era in the town where he was instantly recognised, hugely popular, greatly respected and much loved.
One man, in his time, plays many parts and so it was with Con who was a very forward-thinking businessman, a great family man, a proud Killarney man, a quick wit and a wonderful storyteller and when one is asked to name a character of real substance, the name Con O’Leary immediately springs to mind.
The Laurels bar and restaurant, owned and operated by the O’Leary family for three generations, has long been a landmark in the town and it has had a magnet-like lure for locals and visitors down through the years.
The secret to that success is that Con and his family always ran and still run a good house. There was never a need for a welcome mat at the door as the warm greeting that awaited inside was taken as a given.
Whether it was as a busy coffee shop back in the day, a live music venue for several years, a buzzing bar with a lively atmosphere, a place where team-mates celebrated a win together or commiserated with each other following a loss, a gourmet-style pub or just a friendly local hostelry where pals met up, everybody will have their own favourite memories of The Laurels. Socially and geographically, it has always been very much the heart of the town.
It was always refreshing to meet Con when he was behind the bar. He was interesting, he was interested and conversation always flowed freely. The topic of the day could vary from the antics of characters from yesteryear whose colourful personalities added so much to the town or the latest carry-on by the political decision makers, be it nationally along the corridors of power in Dáil Éireann or locally, as it was then, on the first floor of the town hall.
Many in Killarney will have particularly fond memories of the famous nightly music and dance sessions in the back lounge with Dick Willis, Davy Stone and the lrwin School of Irish Dance, among others, entertaining the masses.
There were the lively rugby club and basketball club get-togethers, the special atmosphere at the annual December 23rd disco, fun table quizzes and, of course, there was the popular Christmas treasure hunts with the questions set by Con as he sent half Killarney off in every direction trying to solve his cryptic riddles.
Hugely intelligent and extremely well read, Con had poetry and prose and words of wisdom on tap and he had a wonderful ability to build up a great rapport with people of any age and from any walk of life.
Con loved nothing more than a good natured wind-up and, with his roguish sense of humour, he was never short of opportunities in that regard.
His place of business has always been immaculately presented, festooned with elaborate displays of flowers, shrubs and hanging baskets, and it was little wonder that it was a serial winner in the Killarney Looking Good Competition year after year.
He must have been asked how the The Laurels got its name tens of thousands of times but he never tired of recalling the story of a great greyhound who bought fame and fortune to Con’s father, Thado, when winning the high-profile Laurels race at Wimbledon in 1930.
And if any proof was needed, the portrait of the champion hound, Kilbrean Boy, has always had pride of place over the main fireplace in the bar.
Many years later, when Con took over the family business after his father’s death, to mark that great achievement he changed the name of the pub to The Laurels.
Thado was one of the founding fathers of Killarney Race Company and Con followed in his footsteps at the Ross Road track with Con’s daughter, Kate, currently a director.
Con loved the lakes and the sea, he was a keen sailor and he had a detailed knowledge of Killarney and Kerry that was difficult to rival.
The passing of Con O’Leary is akin to a very bright light being extinguished in Killarney. Always chirpy, personable and with a very caring manner, he lived a good life, he lived a full life and, in the process, he touched the lives of many other people in a very positive manner.
Killarney will miss Con O’Leary and of that there is no doubt but he leaves a rich legacy of great memories for so many people and he certainly made his mark.
He passed away, peacefully and surrounded by his loving family, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The beloved husband of Anne and loving father of Kate, Niall, Tara and Lorna, he is further survived by sons-in-law Owen Daly, Ronan Quirke and Alfie Gemillan, his grandchildren Robert, Jason, Roan and AnnaKate, his sisters Carmel Slattery (Killarney) and Colette Hurley (Lahinch), brothers-in-law, many other relatives, the wonderful team at The Laurels, his carers and so many friends.
Reposing at O’Shea’s Funeral Home, Killarney on Tuesday from 2.00pm to 5.00pm, will be followed by removal to St Mary’s Cathedral.
Requiem Mass will be on Wednesday at 10.30am and cremation will take place on Thursday in the Island Crematorium, Cork.
The Requiem Mass will be live streamed on https://www.churchservices.tv/killarneycathedral.
The family has asked for donations, in lieu of flowers, to be made to the Palliative Care Unit of University Hospital Kerry.
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