Career
O'Daly started his career in the catering industry as a 16-year-old commis chef in the terminal kitchen of Dublin Airport under the leadership of Jimmy Doyle. After finishing his training he went on to Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo. Due to bad health Colin O'Daly left Cong and went back to Dublin.
His first job as head chef was in the Renvyle House Hotel in the Connemara, County Galway. He later went back to county Mayo to work in Newport House, then carrying an Egon Ronay Guide star. Looking for some stability for his family, he accepted the job offer from the Park Hotel Kenmare to become head chef of Park.
Here, O'Daly earned his first Michelin star in 1983. Instead of a house he bought a rundown restaurant in Blackrock. Within a short time and with help from friends he turned The Park into a thriving place.
The economic crisis in the late 1980s was too much and the restaurant closed down. O'Daly had to reach a deal with the bank before he could start Roly's Bistro in 1992. That place was an instant success, but it still took him seven years to pay off his debts.
He retired as head chef in 2009 and spent a year painting in Mexico after that. After his break he took up consultancy role as culinary advisor for Café en Seine. Colin O'Daly is divorced from Lynn and had four children.
Two sons died from a rare condition closely related to cystic fibrosis. Colin O'Daly himself is a coeliac.