Former Dicey Reilly’s bar in Carlow to be transformed into apartments and retail unit

ONE of Carlow’s best-known pubs is set for a new lease of life. Planning permission has been granted to convert the former Dicey Reilly’s bar on Centaur Street, Carlow into two apartments and a ground-floor retail unit, marking the end of an era for the much-loved local venue.

The application, lodged by Michael O’Reilly on 11 December 2024, was approved by Carlow County Council on 7 October 2025.

The planning file outlines proposals for the change of use of the existing public house into two self-contained apartments, the conversion of the ground-floor store into a retail unit, and the change of use of the first-floor smoking area to create an additional retail space.

The new mixed-use layout will give the iconic building a modern function while retaining its central location on Centaur Street, close to Carlow town centre.

Dicey Reilly’s pub officially closed on Sunday, 15 June 2025, after 38 years in business, when owner Mick O’Reilly retired. The final night, billed as “The Last Song With Mick”, drew a packed crowd of regulars, musicians, and friends.

Speaking to The Carlow Nationalist at the time, O’Reilly said: “I’ve made a lot of friends in this pub. This is a great little pub — a savage pub with savage people and savage singers.”

No construction timeline has yet been published, and it remains unclear who will occupy the planned retail space. The final design and conditions of the project will be subject to Carlow County Council’s development and architectural standards.