Our Story
Peddler Mac’s is a family-run Irish pub in Athlone, opened in 2019 by brothers Bryan and Kevin O’Gara to honour their grandfather — the travelling shopkeeper nicknamed “The Peddler.”
Four generations of O’Gara hospitality shape the timber snugs, roaring fire, and nightly soundtrack that greet neighbours, visitors, and musicians from open to last call.
Peddler Mac’s is named for our grandfather, whose travelling shop once rattled through every lane of Westmeath. Bryan and Kevin O’Gara built the pub in 2019 as a love letter to that spirit of resourceful hospitality. His ledgers, price tags, and painted shop sign now hang beside shelves of Irish whiskey, sporting trophies, and gig posters from decades of family history.
The room feels like Athlone’s shared living room: low timber ceilings, candlelit snugs, and bartenders who already know what you’re having. Trad musicians collide with modern storytellers, raising pints of Guinness, hot Irish coffees, and bespoke cocktails while the town drifts in from Church Street.
Peddler Mac’s opened on Church Street in June 2019, founded by brothers Bryan and Kevin O’Gara to honour their grandfather — the original travelling shopkeeper known throughout Athlone as “The Peddler.” Four generations of O’Gara hospitality are woven into our snugs, timber bar, and shelves of antique wares rescued from the family shop.
Our pub was built to feel like Athlone’s living room. There are cosy corners for heart-to-hearts, long counters for storytelling, and a soundtrack of nightly live music that blends trad, modern covers, and spontaneous singalongs. Perfect pints of Guinness sit alongside a deep Irish whiskey cabinet, bespoke cocktails, Low & No serves, and proper pots of tea.
Beyond the front room you’ll find Broke Boy Pizza firing stone-baked pies, a covered beer garden that spills onto the life of Church Street, and big screens for match days. GAA jerseys, charity raffles, album launches, and surprise guest performers all share the same stage.
Most importantly, Peddler Mac’s is staffed by friends, cousins, and neighbours who treat every visitor like family. Whether you’re calling in for a quiet midweek chat or planning a celebration, you’ll be welcomed with the warmth and craic that define Athlone.
Every inch of the bar still nods to that humble travelling shop: ration books beside turntables, framed jerseys beside christening photos, shelves lined with both curiosities and bottles of small-batch Irish whiskey. Locals call in for post-work hugs, the rugby team tunes up before a final, and visiting performers carve their names into our story.
