The death has taken place of Fionán Bracken from Portlaoise, a hugely popular and highly-respected business man in the town.
In his 97th year, Fionán was the former owner of the County Hotel on Main Street in Portlaoise as well Kelly’s Hotel, where Jeremiah Grant’s now stands.
His establishments provided both great employment to a large number of people – and a place of great fun and socialising.
Born in Tullamore in 1928, Fionán’s family was steeped in Irish history and his funeral mass in Portlaoise today heard how his father fired the first shots in the 1916 Rising and that his mother was a prominent member of Cumann na mBan.
After World War 2, Fionán and many of his family emigrated to Toronto in Canada where he initially worked as a cinema usher.
His work ethic and sharp mind saw him rise through the ranks and when he returned to Ireland he met his wife Kathleen and they bought the premises which would become the County Hotel as their home, before turning it into a hotel.
It was a massively popular establishment becoming well known for the Rugby Club socials in the 1960s and 1970s every second Friday night.
Among the big name names to play in the County Hotel were the likes of the Wolfe Tones and Brendan Bowyer.
After selling the County Hotel and moving to live near the Rock of Dunamaise, the family returned shortly after to live in the town.
He then bought Kelly’s Hotel which again proved a popular base for Portlaoise Rugby Club who used the facilities to tog out in before travelling out their pitches which were located on the Dublin Road and Rossleighan before they moved to Togher.
Kelly’s continued to be a popular spot for socialising and Fionán was known for giving up-and-coming bands an opportunity to play. After installing a state-of-the art maple leaf floor in the ballroom, he was fondly referred to locally as the ‘Wooden Man’.
Fionán passed away peacefully on Saturday surrounded by his loving family.
Beloved husband of Kathleen and loving father to Fergus, Ronan, Dara, and Cormac.
Cherished grandfather to Evan, Cathal, Cian, and Éabha. Deeply regretted by his daughters in law Fiona, Jacqueline and Margaret, brother Niall, brother in law Michael, sister in law Sarah, nieces, nephews and all his former customers and friends.
His funeral mass took place in Portlaoise on Tuesday morning followed by burial in SS Peter and Paul’s cemetery.
