A Tale Of Two Worcester Irish Pubs

WORCESTER, MA — Thursday was perhaps the biggest day for Irish culture in Worcester since March 17.

At the Worcester License Commission meeting, two new Irish pubs got approvals to operate in the city.

Speaking in a real brogue, Stephen Porter asked the commission to transfer the licenses of the Rock Bar venue along Water Street to his new Irish pub called Boland's — Tobias Boland, an Irish immigrant, was a huge figure in Worcester history; he helped build the Blackstone Canal and a rail connection to Worcester, and donated money to James Fitton to buy a piece of land that would eventually become Holy Cross.

The commissioners approved Porter's transfers, including an alcohol license, a license to serve food and a license to offer live entertainment.

Next, the commissioner's took up the transfer of O'Connor's Irish Pub's licenses to new owners. Founders Brendan and Claire O’Connor, who opened the beloved West Boylston Street pub in the late 1980s, are selling the restaurant to Marlborough residents Dennis and Kyle Maxwell.

News of the O'Connor's sale broke over the weekend. In response, Brendan and Claire O’Connor assured their fans that the pub will stay intact.

"They are keeping the name, the brand and all our staff will remain. We'll be around for months to come helping them in the transition, and we are delighted they will preserve our legacy while building their own," they said in a Facebook post. "We are humbled and honored to have borne witness to the many guests we have served for over 33 years and to have been the beneficiary of your loyalty and support."