New beginnings in Glasson as The Fatted Calf buys Grogan's

A milestone moment for two well-known hospitality businesses took place on Monday morning of this week as Miriam Grogan handed over the keys of Grogan's in Glasson to its new owners, Feargal and Fiona O'Donnell of The Fatted Calf restaurant in Athlone.

As a result of the purchase, The Fatted Calf will be relocating to the landmark Grogan's premises after being based in the centre of Athlone for the last 11 years.

The restaurant will serve its final customers at its Athlone Towncentre unit, overlooking the town's civic square, on Saturday, July 25. It's then planning to reopen in Glasson, under the name The Fatted Calf at Grogan's, early next month.

The O'Donnells' purchase of the Glasson premises comes a year after the bar and restaurant, along with a four-bedroom home on its site, went on the market with an asking price of €1 million.

Local real estate company Sheehy Meares wished The Fatted Calf the best on its move, and said: "We were delighted to be involved in the sale of this iconic restaurant and bar."

After being managed by Miriam's family for more than half a century, Grogan's closed at the end of 2025, and there had been uncertainty about what its future might bring.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Friday, Feargal O'Donnell said he and his wife began having discussions with Miriam about buying the premises in February of this year.

He said the deal made sense for his family, as he and Fiona have a daughter, Molly, and son, Jack, who will be part of the running of the business.

"We wanted to do this - and we eventually convinced ourselves that we needed to do it," Feargal said. "It's great for the village because there was a huge local worry that maybe it wasn't going to be bought, and that it would just be left idle.

"Buildings like that, if they're not being used, tend to disintegrate fairly lively. And the other worry was that somebody was going to buy it and turn it into whatever else...

"We've known Grogan's all our lives, so to have the opportunity to take it over and carry it forward, like the Grogan family has done for the last 50 or 60 years, is a great honour in itself."

He said that he and Fiona will be aiming to "maintain and put a new lease of life" into a well-known Westmeath pub that's an important part of the local community.

"In rural Ireland today there's a huge impact from places closing - particularly pubs and places like that. They are part of the fabric of the area. It's not just about being a business, there's a certain social responsibility to it," he said.

The O'Donnells are already embedded in the community in Glasson, having lived there for the last 30 years, and The Fatted Calf previously traded across the road from Grogan's, between 2010 and 2015.

Feargal said there was some work to be done in the next couple of weeks to prepare for The Fatted Calf's move from Athlone back to Glasson.

"There's a bit of updating of bathrooms, some rewiring, the keg room needs to be updated, and things like that. Our main aim is to get the bar open as early as possible in August, get the other works done, and get the kitchen open soon after the bar opening," he said.

When asked about the plans for the business, he said: "It will be a mixture of pub classics with some more modern (dishes), the likes of which we've being doing in Athlone. A large selection of John Stone dry aged Irish beef will also be featuring on our menus.

"The focus will be on very casual, no restriction dining. You can come in and have whatever you like, or if you just want to have a snack or just have a pint... it's a country pub at its heart and that's what it will be. There will be no airs or graces."

He added that gift vouchers for The Fatted Calf in Athlone will remain valid at the Glasson location, and that the restaurant's current staff would also be making the move.

"The staff are all coming with us. They're all delighted and really enthusiastic about the change," he said.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Monday, Miriam Grogan passed on her best wishes to the new owners of the premises.

"I just want to wish Feargal and Fiona the very best for the future, and I hope they enjoy it as much as we did," said Miriam. "There's nothing quite like being in customer service and hospitality when everything is going well. You have your old friends coming in the door every day to say hello, and it's a wonderful, social place.

"Grogan's is very special. There aren't too many old pubs of its style, character and wonderful atmosphere."

She said she was glad a business of the calibre of The Fatted Calf was taking over Grogan's

"With Feargal's cooking, the standard of food will continue, and with Fiona, Molly and Jack working there the standard of hospitality will also continue.

"I'm delighted that Feargal and Fiona have chosen to buy it. It's a family home and a family business, and it will continue to be so."

As for her own future plans, Miriam said she was looking forward to charting a new course.

"I wanted a little bit of a quieter life, and less stress, so I'm retraining and going on to do other things," she said.

"I've just qualified as a family celebrant, so I will be doing weddings and funerals. I'm looking forward to that new role, and I'll be doing a few other bits and pieces as well."