About Us

The origins of the firm date back to 1916.

Austin Crean from Ballyhaunis began his practice from Bridge Street. He retired in 1937 and was succeeded by Micheal O’Cleirigh who had joined him in 1936. The name of the firm changed at that time to Crean & O’Cleirigh.

Patrick M. O’Dwyer joined the firm in 1939. In 1945, Micheal O’Cleirigh was appointed County Registrar for County Dublin and left private practice, with Patrick succeeding him as principal of the firm. Patrick continued until his death in 1965.

In 1968 John T. O’Dwyer began practising as the new Principal of the firm and changed the name to Crean O’Cleirigh & O’Dwyer.

In 2000, Evan O’Dwyer joined the firm, followed in 2010 by Conor O’Dwyer.

In 2014 the name of the firm changed to O’Dwyer Solicitors.

In 2022 the name of the firm changed to O’Dwyer LLP.

Serving Mayo + Beyond for over 100 Years

  • 1916

    The firm began with Austin J Crean. He qualified as a solicitor in 1910 and set up practice on his own at Bridge Street, Ballyhaunis in 1916.

  • 1937

    Micheal O’Cleirigh, a native of Logboy, Ballyhaunis, joined the firm of Austin Crean in 1937. They then changed the name of the practice to Crean & O’Cleirigh, and continued to practice over The Gem.

  • 1938

    With the retirement of Austin Crean in 1938, Micheal O’Cleirigh took over the running of the practice on his own until 1939.

  • 1939

    Patrick M (Pat) O’Dwyer answered an advert in the Irish Times in 1939. He was then living with his parents and the extended O’Dwyer Family in West Street, Tallow, Co Waterford.

  • 1945

    Micheal O’Cleirigh and Pat O’Dwyer practised together until 1945 when Micheal O’Cleirigh was appointed County Registrar for Dublin City and County and resigned his seat as a Fianna Fáil TD.

  • 1965

    The practice was continued by Pat O’Dwyer until his untimely death in 1965.

  • 1968

    John O Dwyer joined the practice in 1968. He decided to change the name to Crean, O’Cleirigh & O’Dwyer acknowledging the role of his predecessors since the foundation of the practice.

  • 1972

    In 1972, an opportunity arose in Bridge Street to move to our current premises, which was purchased from the Estate of Aggie Rattigan.

  • 1996

    Mrs Christina Elwood, then of Leow, who had been the secretary of the late Pat O’Dwyer, was the cornerstone of the practice having joined in 1962 and remaining until her untimely death in 1996.

  • 2000

    In 2000 Evan O’Dwyer joined the firm followed in 2009 by Conor O’Dwyer.

  • 2014

    We decided that we should rebrand and call ourselves as we are known to clients, O’Dwyer. With the assistance of our clients, we have had a very successful changeover.

Meet the team