A Conversation with Thomas O’Leary
By David Corby | Contributing Writer
On the wall of T.C. O’Leary’s hang black and white photos that represent the history behind the establishment. The framed photos honor previous generations of friends and family members who have invested, supported, and celebrated the existence of NE Alberta’s “Little Irish Pub.” In this way, you’re surrounded by community from the moment you walk through the pub’s doors. For owner Thomas O’Leary, that connection is deeply intentional.
“A pub can be a lot of different things,” he shares with me. “It’s a room that you can tell stories in. A room that you can have music in.” He looks around the room thoughtfully, breathing in the history of the space. “What it’s really become is a place of community development.”
In 2009, O’Leary moved to the United States after a lifetime spent in Ireland. He and his wife Siobhan spent time living in New York and Los Angeles before ultimately landing in Portland. An actor by trade, O’Leary spent part of his time during those years working in the bar scene, and he gradually began to fall in love with the setting. When the owner of the Branch Whiskey Bar decided that it was time to pour its last drink in 2016, Thomas took the risky leap to transition from bar manager to bar owner. Thus, T.C. O’Leary’s was born.
Like many great suggestions, the name was Siobhan’s idea. “She said you can’t go wrong with putting your own name over the bar, because you can’t limit that. It can be anything you want it to be inside the door.” Nearly nine years later, what it’s become is a true place of community and connection. A small escape to Ireland under the familiar grey skies of Portland. “An Irish pub is somewhere you go to let everything else go,” he says. “Somewhere to just escape and have fun. We have literary groups, music, sports—generally all these people will get to know each other and help each other. That’s the feeling around the pub.”
The power of that sentiment was most apparent during the early days of the pandemic, when T.C. O’Leary’s was forced to close its doors while the global restaurant industry faced an uncertain future. During that time, community members would come by and implore the pub to stay open, emphasizing how important the space was to the neighborhood. Thinking back on those years, O’Leary’s expression is quietly reflective. “That’s always been the value of what this place is to me,” he says.
Through the efforts of his staff and the collaboration of the community, T.C. O’Leary’s adapted its business model to prioritize takeout orders and expand outdoor seating. “We were constantly trying to innovate and give an opportunity to come out,” he explains. “The first time that someone played live music here again, it was quite emotional. You forget how important that is.”
In the alleyway next to T.C. O’Leary’s is a chalk calendar that lists all of the events happening in the pub throughout each week. Live music, watch parties, reading groups—the list goes on. The calendar serves as an open opportunity for engagement. An invitation to step inside a warm Irish pub and escape the world outside. Sometimes, we forget how important that is.
David Corby is a poet, essayist, and professional overcommunicator. When he’s not out exploring the neighborhood with his wife and dog, chances are high that you can find him wrapping thoughts in words at your favorite local coffee shop.