By Amy Rowley
On a Thursday afternoon, O’Blarney’s Irish Pub patrons include a diverse group of people – tables of sports fans cheering for UW’s basketball team to a delightful group of elderly women, sporting Irish green clothing and enjoying a sunny afternoon together.
O’Blarney’s owner, Mike Heelan, is proud of the experience that customers receive at his restaurant and pub. “I want to give you the type of experience that makes you want to come back,” says Heelan.
New Centralia Location
O’Blarney’s recently expanded into a beautiful, historic building on Tower Avenue in Centralia. Leveraging the brand name and the customer service that fans rave about, O’Blarney’s Centralia location has exceeded even Heelan’s highest expectations. “It’s unbelievable. We are 125% busier than our projections,” explains Heelan. “We’re very grateful for the warm welcome and support we have received from the community,” he continues.
The new Centralia location serves the same menu and amazing beer selection. Jeff Malloy, who learned the business from the ground up at O’Blarney’s is the Managing Partner of the new restaurant and pub. Heelan speaks highly of Malloy’s management skills and business vision.
Occupying a previously vacant building, O’Blarney’s has capitalized on beautiful renovations by previous owners, including a magnificent, dark wood horseshoe-shaped bar. “The handsome old building has many stories. Customers are visiting us because we’re the new place in town, and because of our reputation, I think. We are seeing a lot of repeat business. My hat is off to Jeff and his crew for giving their customers a good reason to come back,” continues Heelan. “That’s really what we’ve always been about.”
St. Patrick’s Day
This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on Saturday, March 17th. The holiday, a spectacular celebration of Irish culture, sends many Thurston County residents to O’Blarney’s.
O’Blarney’s customers have deemed the restaurant as ‘the place to be on St. Patrick’s Day’. The crew powered through 23 kegs of beer, selling many pints of Guinness, ‘Black and Tan’s’, and O’Blarney’s own Celtic Ale, which is brewed for Heelan in Centralia by Dick’s Brewery. Since St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday, the restaurant will be open for breakfast this year.
“If you add the revenues of our second and third busiest days, it will not match the business we do on St. Patrick’s Day,” explains Heelan when describing the holiday’s impact on sales.
Four members of the accomplished acoustic band Irish Sessions will be strumming traditional Irish music on Saturday morning from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. The full group plays together every Tuesday after dinner at the Olympia location.
The popular Olympia Highlanders, playing bagpipes and drums, will start at noon and play until around 10:00 pm. The group will be playing in both the Olympia and Centralia O’Blarney’s pubs. Dancers from the Comerford School of Irish Dance will also perform at both locations.
Grab a friend and head to O’Blarney’s Irish Pub. Whether it’s to catch a popular sporting event, chat over a cool beer, or enjoy tasty cuisine, O’Blarney’s is sure to provide a welcoming experience.
O’Blarney’s Irish Pub
4411 Martin Way E
Olympia, WA 98516
360.459.8084
New Location:
221 North Tower Avenue
Centralia, WA 98531
360.807.4581
