Fanny O’ Dea’s is a beautiful thatched historical pub situated in the village of Lissycasey on the main N68 road between Ennis and Kilkee and just 10 minutes’ drive from the county’s capital town. It’s a house where visitors have found hospitality for over 300 years. Established as a small Inn in 1695 and licensed in 1790 it is one of Irelands oldest family run pubs and has been owned by the one family for over 9 generations. There is always a buzz about the place with a mixture of passing trade, tourists & of course locals visiting the establishment (You could meet anyone in Fanny O Dea’s ) The Pub has always been at the centre of the local community a gathering spot for all to socialise, celebrate and enjoy food and drinks.
Its longevity can be attributed to its unique history, a reputation for great hospitality and willingness by various generations to invest their love & passion in this Clare institution.
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The Story of the house goes back to the Cromwellian invasion around 1649. The O Dea clan of Dysart who were chieftains of the area were forced to leave their lands and castle. Eventually one of the Eldest of the clan Denis settled in Lissycasey and set up a small Inn on a cattle track which linked the Towns of Ennis and Kilrush.
His grandniece Fanny had been brought up by an Aunt in Kilrush. She had a good education for the time but at an early age married a local farmer and decided to came to Lissycasey to help her ageing Grand Uncle Denis with his business.
A great Housekeeper, naturally hospitable & a great business woman she soon had both locals and stranger’s alike calling to her and so the journey began for Fanny O Dea’s and like a good Irish Whiskey she matured and developed . It’s a house where visitors have found hospitality for over 300 years. From its humble beginnings as a small Inn in 1695 and later licensed in 1790 she has survived all History could possibly throw at her. Its longevity can be attributed to its unique history, a reputation for great hospitality and a willingness by various generations to invest their love , dedication & passion for this Clare institution.
There is always a buzz about the place with a mixture of passing trade, tourists & of course locals visiting the establishment (You could meet anyone in Fanny O Dea’s ) The Pub has always been at the centre of the local community a gathering spot for all to socialise, celebrate and enjoy food and drinks.
One winter’s night when a Judge and his clerk were travelling from Kilrush to Ennis, they were caught in a storm. They were forced to take Shelter at Fanny O Dea’s roadside cottage. Whilst they were drying their clothes Fanny produced her hot specialty drink, two whiskey Egg Flips made from her very own secret recipe. But flies appeared in the ointment as upon reflection the Judge decided he could not accept these drinks without payment, and paying for them would be acknowledging illicit trading as the cottage did not yet have a license to sell alcohol.
His judicial mind was equal to the occasion, realizing that the drinks were necessary and in order that he might legally pay for them and have a jolly time he there and then made out a license for the sale of Intoxicants signed it Robert Vere O Brien handed it to Fanny saying this is your first license, now you may sell intoxicating drink. This is how the house got its first license.
Today the famous Egg Flip which is still made from that secret recipe can be enjoyed by the same turf fire where the Judge dried his clothes, sipped on the Egg Flip and signed that first License back in 1790.
Fanny O’ Dea’s is a pub where you might like to make a stop as some people suggest it’s unlucky to pass. Stories have been told of peoples mishaps after they failed to make a stop at this famous hostelry. The story tells of a murder which occurred in the town of Kilrush late in the 19th century. A suspect was apprehended, tried and convicted of the murder hastily with circumstantial evidence.
He was sentenced to execution in the town of Ennis. On the day of his execution he was taken by armed guard to Ennis, as the entourage approached Lissycasey the most senior guard feeling sorry for the accused enquired if he would like to go for one last drink at Fanny O’ Dea’s. The unfortunate man declined the offer and so they proceeded to Ennis. Meanwhile back in Kilrush new evidence came to light and the real culprit was apprehended.
Frantic efforts were made to stop the hanging in Ennis, a rider was dispatched from Kilrush but unfortunately arrived minutes too late as the execution had already taken place. It was surely a tragedy which would never have happened had the unfortunate man made the stop at Fanny O Dea’s!
