Laois Chamber Alliance CEO, Caroline Hofman recently caught up with Niall Treacy, Manager of Treacy’s Bar & Restaurant, located on The Heath.
Tell us a bit about Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant and the history behind your business?
“Treacy’s has been family-owned and run as a public house as far back as 1780, according to the earliest records available,” Neill said.
“From the 1950’s to the 70’s Mrs. Mary Treacy (my Grandmother), a widow with six young children, ran the pub with a grocery shop and Esso petrol pumps.
“In 1976 my father Tom took over and my mother Marie joined him in 1978. Treacy’s became a popular stopping point for people travelling the main Cork/Dublin Road.
“My parents always looked after customers with a chat and a toasted sandwich, and from there the idea came for a good value restaurant.
“Today Tom and Marie run Treacy’s with myself and my sister Fiona. Our brothers chip in as well and we have 55 staff on board too.”
What is different and compelling about what you offer?
“We are a real family business and I think that translates through the wonderful staff that we have, some of which have been with us over 30 years and have had members of their own family work here too.
“I have grown up with these people and been through everything life throws at you with them so it’s more than just a ‘work colleague relationship’.
“We strive to serve good honest wholesome food at a decent price, it may sound simple but there is a lot to it. We know what we are and don’t pretend to be anything else.
“We will never be a Michelin star restaurant, but we are not trying to be. We just want to give the everyday person a good meal and provide great service with a relaxed atmosphere and a smile and a bit of craic.”
Can you highlight some of the key achievements at Treacy’s Bar and Restaurant?
“Well keeping a business in the same family name for eight generations, and keeping a restaurant going for almost 40 years are achievements in themselves.
“A local business is supplied by local businesses, not only in the food and drink sector but by our local tradespeople too. Builders, electricians and so many more businesses help keep Treacy’s going.
“We are very proud to keep our business as local as possible.
“There have been a lot of changes in my parent’s time, but Tom and Marie really have an unbelievable love and desire for Treacy’s to be that place a family, friends and locals can meet up and enjoy each other’s company (without having to do the dishes afterwards).
“In recent years The Restaurants Association begun an annual awards ceremony and in 2022 Treacy’s won Best Customer service for the Leinster region, which all the staff were really proud of.
“We have also won best kid’s menu on several occasions and best casual dining for the Laois area.
“In 2022, Failte Ireland gave us an Employer Excellence Award and certified us a Great Place to Work. We were especially proud of that because it was as a result of the training our team undertook, and detailed individual staff surveys.
“Only a handful of restaurants in Ireland achieved this.”
Any other news or expansion plans you can share with us?
“We built on an outdoor seating area at the back of the restaurant and turned our old family sitting room into a snug with dividers during Covid. It gave us options at the time, and we use both areas on a daily basis.
“As far as expansions go, we are really happy with what we have. If we built on to the restaurant and made it too big, we might lose that atmosphere that we have worked hard on creating.
“At the moment thankfully we are nice and busy, so it affords us the chance to invest in the building that we have. A kitchen upgrade is the next big project for the restaurant.
“Unfortunately this will mean we may have to close for a few days in October, but it gives us the chance to get lots of work done on the restaurant.
“Our building is over 240 years old, so it needs a bit of T.L.C. every now and again. The thatch has to be fully re-done every 15-20 years. This roof is now 10 years old, so you have to put away a few bob for that too.”
What are some of the biggest challenges your business has faced, and how have you overcome these?
“Any business is full of challenges, but we are so lucky to have the great staff that we have. Their commitment to the day-to-day running of the business is our greatest asset and makes our lives a lot easier.
“Well, Covid goes without saying. The Portlaoise bypass, which opened in 1997, was a big worry for our parents at the time as a lot of our customers come from all over the country.
“We didn’t know if they would be able to find us, but they did.
“The recession from 2008 onwards took a toll on Ireland in a massive way, and it really affected us.
“It was around then my sister Fiona came on board and the work she’s done from the back end, well we wouldn’t be in the position we are in today only for her.
“One of the hardest things about being involved in a family business can be that family/business balance. You have to be able to separate both when we all work together, it takes a concerted effort on all our parts.
“Back 6 years ago the business became a company and this has helped us in all aspects of our lives. My sister Fiona is a qualified Company Director so she could help bring a structure to the running of the business/family life for us all.
“We have our formal board meetings around Ma’s kitchen table, and they are great. It’s all business there and any issues or challenges we are having can be dealt with there and then and we can all plan together for the future of Treacy’s.
“From here we nailed down our 5 core business values; honesty, respect, family harmony, financial security and social impact. Having these at the centre of everything helps us with all decision making.”
For any business considering locating in Laois, what would you say are the best things about being located here?
“The location itself – Laois is just a great place to live and work. It has that country vibe but with a modern feel to it. Shopping, entertainment, nightlife, heritage, arts and culture.
“And you can escape from all of it with just a quick drive away up the Slieve Bloom Mountains.
“Laois is the best of both worlds and I think the motorway has really opened us up to the rest of the country too. We are not too far from anywhere.
“Our Local Enterprise Office have been great to us down through the years for training courses in all aspects of running a business.
“They are a great help for any business looking to start up or just looking to be pointed in the right direction.
“Laois Chamber Alliance and Laois Tourism are also doing great work promoting all that’s good in the county.”
What is your favourite place to visit in Laois and why?
“A wander up to The Rock of Dunamase always does it for me. It’s just that step back in time and a beautiful link to our past.
“I was up there the other day with my dog and the peace you feel just sitting up there watching rain clouds dance around the county was awesome.
“The site hasn’t been commercialized, which keeps the authenticity I think and that what visitors want. A stroll up to Glenbarrow is always good for the soul too.
“Sometimes we don’t appreciate what’s on our door step but Laois is a great place to get out into nature and just take it all in.”
Visit www.treacys.ie to find out more.
SEE ALSO – Meet the Ottawa Rose who has strong Portarlington connections
