Meet your Tour guide

Martin O’Brien – Historian, Storyteller & Custodian of St. Mullins

Martin O’Brien, along with his wife Emer, is the mastermind behind the transformation of St Mullins’ 18th-century grain store into the much-loved Mullicháin Café. Back in 1999, when most people were worrying about the Millennium Bug, Martin and Emer took on a derelict four-storey canal storehouse—because, apparently, they thought restoring an entire building would be a fun hobby.
After a decade of blood, sweat, and probably a few choice words, they opened the café in 2009, carefully preserving its Canadian pitch pine beams, lime plaster walls, and undeniable old-world charm.
But Martin’s true passion (aside from a good cup of coffee) is history. As a local historian, he has an uncanny ability to bring the past to life, whether it’s tales of monastic life, Viking raids, or the secrets of the River Barrow. His guided tours are packed with fascinating facts, local legends, and just the right amount of mischievous wit.
When he’s not leading tours or keeping the café running, Martin is busy finding new ways to celebrate St Mullins’ heritage, including commissioning a sculpture of the legendary mad king, Buile Shuibhne—because every village needs a good story about an exiled, tree-dwelling lunatic.
Through his work, Martin has become part of the fabric of St Mullins, offering visitors not just a warm welcome and great food, but an unforgettable journey through history—served with a side of humour.