It is beleived that the Thatch, Rahan was built sometime in the 1700s before the canal ever reached Tullamore, or indeed Rahan. It may have been an unofficial shebeen up until it was properly licensed.

It was opened on 18th February 1902 as a public house when Daniel E. Williams of Tullamore DEW fame purchased the premises. It's believed that there were up to 30 Willaims Branch Houses in Offaly down through the years. To this day the Thatch, Rahan, stilll bears the name D.E. Williams Ltd., on one side of the building.

In 1967 the premises was sold to Martin Burke of Loughroe, Rahan. The following year it was sold to Patrick Nash of County Limerick. In 1973 it was purchased by Liam Kenny. In 2004 it was purchased by the father and son duo of Myles and Aidan Shortall. They completely demolished the inside of the building to make way for a contemporary style lounge and very traditional bar.