A recent donation to the Museum included
a copy of a 1934 Calendar and Year Book of the Cathedral Parish. Looking
through the advertising columns I was struck by the number of
businesses, which have changed hands in the intervening years.
For instance,
Duggan’s of Dublin Street had a
Stationer’s shop at number 58 which sold everything in this category.
The same business is carried on by Miss Hayes, their successor. At
number 59 they had a large grocery store with a Wine and Spirit business
at the rear. This was a great meeting place for the proprietor’s
friends. Peter and Betty Gorman are the present owners. Pat Donohue had
a Paint and Wallpaper Shop in No. 38 and also was a Painting Contractor
employing several tradesmen during the season. There does not seem to be
any business being carried on there now. Frank McAnally was a Chemist in
No. 44 and carried on a very successful business. He sold it to F.
Corless who continues to serve all the pharmaceutical needs of his many
customers. Murray’s of Dublin St. prided
themselves as the Premier Sweet Stores & Ice Cream Cafe. They had large
stocks of high-class confectionery and a variety of cigarettes and
cigars. They are one of the few original stores still trading in the
town.
Mineral waters and Guinness
Maggie Bolger, 11
Brown St. is another of the few
businesses remaining from that time. She and her successors carry on a
busy Wine & Spirit Lounge for their many friends.
Corcoran & Co. have
their usual banner headlines for their Mineral Waters and also for their
bottling of Guinness Stout, Irish Ales, Bass & Co. Pale Ales. They
advertised as Whiskey Bonders & Wine Importers also. Annie McWey was a
Family Grocer, Wine & Spirit Merchant premises now occupied by the Leix
Pharmacy. Her brother Thomas was a Corn & Wool Merchant in
Haymarket. A machinery firm now occupies
that site. Mr. M. Byrne had a Wine & Spirit Store on the
Quay opposite the Boat Club. The late P.
Losty carried on the same business for many years. M. Shanahan has
renovated and extended the premises and he trades under the name of
‘Amadeus’ with a very successful Disco Bar.
Sweep ticket shares from 1/-
Foley’s Lending
Library & Stationery, Newsagency and Confectionery, was a great business
house on the Bridge between Carlow and Graiguecullen. Sweeps Tickets and
Shares could be had from 1/- (one shilling!) upwards. The McDonald
family carry on the same business now. Harte of
Castle Hill had a Fruit, Sweets and Cigarette business. This
house is now occupied by the Curran family. Francis Kirk had a Family
Grocery, Tea, Wine & Spirit business in No. 44
Castle St. The same business is being carried on by the present
owner, Mr. Griffin.
John Brennan had a
Pawn broking, Leather & Shoe Business at No’s 1 & 2,
Castle Street. Both businesses have died
in the intervening years. Pawn broking was a great help for poor people
in hard times. In those days people of modest means repaired all of
their family footwear and No. 1 was a great source of leather and
grindery. There was a Pet Shop in these premises until recent times and
Attic Conversions Co. are the new owners. Thomas Reddy was a Family
Grocer & Provisions Merchant at No. 15, Castle
St. Now in the possession of Mr. Cullen, it is a snooker-hall
under the name ‘Casablanca’.
Jack Walsh and his
sister had a High Class Machine Bakery, Confectionery and a Flour Meal &
Barn_ Store at No’s 5 & 6, by William Dunny & Family who continue in the
Bakery, Confectionery & Grocery business. John O’Neill was a Wine &
Spirit Merchant at 9, Coal Market. It is
sad to recall that the last member of his family died only recently.
Jones Business Systems in Burrin Street
is located where Annie Nolan had a Grocery, Confectionery and Provisions
Shop. The Carlow Cinema was located in Burrin
Street on the site now occupied by the General Post Office.
Part
of Kennedy Avenue was occupied by the
Cinema also. Their advertisement said, “You are always sure to see the
best pictures and enjoy them in absolute comfort”. Seats could be booked
at No. 26, Tullow Street where the
proprietor, Frank Slater, lived. He had a Fish Shop and Poultry Store
there and “one was sure to obtain the very best quality by ordering in
advance”. It is now an Amusement Arcade although the Meighan family from
Graiguecullen had continued with the Fish
Shop for many years. T. Crotty & Sons have their Bakery & Confectionery
where Frank ran a similar business for many years. Mrs. Crotty is the
proprietor of “Creations”, a Ladies’ and Children’s’ Boutique at 125,
Tullow St. where Mrs. James Walsh had a
Grocery & Confectionery business.
Formerly the Swan Hotel
Miss Phelan had a
Millinery Shop at 74, Burrin St and this
was continued by Mrs. McDermott. It was taken over by M/S Gillespie who
sold the premises to the Nationwide Building Society. Katherine
McDonnell ran a Family Grocery & Wine Merchants business in
Haymarket until taken over some years ago
by Ewings. In time they transferred across the Market to Collier’s
premises which was formerly the Swan Hotel. The new proprietor at
McDonnell’s renamed it “The Crows Nest”
Mrs. Robert Gough
carried on a Drapery, Millinery, Boot & Fancy Warehouse at 139,
Tullow St. Her daughters sold the
premises to George Good for his hardware business. Later he sold it to
M/S Saxone for a Boot & Shoe store but he retained Gough’s shop for the
sale of Paints and Wallpaper supplies. Next door at No. 138, M. J.
Graham had a small Drapery for Ladies and Children, also Millinery and
Haberdashery. Eilis O’Neill is the current proprietor of a successful
Confectionery, Stationery, Cards and Souvenir business. Was Hosiery
factory.
Michael Molloy had
probably the largest store along with Haddens in
Tullow Street. They stocked everything in the Drapery & Footwear
departments and had an extensive Hosiery factory. The 5-Star Supermarket
and Woolworth’s traded at this location until it was purchased by M/S
McLoughlin who reconstructed the premises into the present shopping
arcade of Tullow Street House. Gerald
Donnelly ran a High Class Grocery, Wholesale & Retail, Wine & Spirit
business at No's 8, 9 & 10 Tullow St.
This area is occupied by Shaw’s Drapery Store and they took over the
adjacent General Drapery Store once run by Youngs and later Browns.
Foley Bros. of 112, Tullow St. were
Family Grocers and Wine & Spirits Merchants. It was called “The Old
House”. Aidan Lennon, the present owner carries on the Lounge Bar
business Mary Walsh had a most successful Bakery & Confectionery in the
adjacent premises for many years. It is now occupied by Celtic Cleaners.
Across the road at No. 40, James Hickey had a High Class Grocery, Tea,
Wine & Spirits business. The Carlow Bakery Co. succeeded him for several
years until it reverted back to the Wine & Spirit business.
Lawlers of
“The Plough”, Tullow St., had a High
Class Victualling business along with their Family Grocery and Spirit
Bar. Changes have taken place since the arrival of the Supermarket era.
They now confine themselves to High Class lounges for Wine & Spirit.
Miss M. T. Kelly carries on a Newspaper, Confectionery, General
Stationers & Fancy Goods Warehouse business. This was started by her
grandparents in No’s 57 & 58, Tullow St.
another of the oldest premises under the one family name in the street.
Miss Maher had a
Family Grocer & Confectionery shop at No. 92. A plaque to the memory of
Padraig Mac Gamhna is on the outside front wall. Charlie Byrne now
occupies the premises.
Gerald Kehoe was close by in No.
101, now demolished. He sold Gramophones and Radios. Tom Seeley had a
Ladies’ & Gents’ Hairdressing Saloon at No. 50 across the road. A.
Gannon now has a Meat & Bacon Shop there as previous owner Eugene Dooley
did for many years.
Willie O’Neill &
Sons had a large garage at No’s 55 & 56. He was an agent for leading
makes of Bicycles and Motor Cars. Several shops occupy the space now
including a Dry Cleaners and the Trustee Savings Bank. John Foley had a
General Goods & Haberdashery Store and a Confectionery at No. 66,
Tullow St. His son carries on with a
Pharmaceutical business. Michael Doyle, The
Shamrock, Tullow St. was in
business as a Family Grocer & Spirit Merchant. He sold Coal, Timber,
Slates and Hardware requirements also. The latter business is continued
by his grandson in an enlarged and most successful venture.
Saddler and harness maker
George Branagan was
a Saddler & Harness Maker at No. 150. Sadly, that trade seems to have
died out. Frank Tully runs a Sports Shop at this location. Helena B.
Nolan advertised as a “Merchant” at Court Place.
She had a Grocery, Wine & Spirit Business. “The Irishman’s” was its
title and this is retained by her grandnephew, John Hargaden who runs a
very successful Lounge Bar. Annie Nolan had a Green- grocery &
Confectionery business at No. 77, Tullow St.
Depot” also. Sadly there is no business there at present.
Tynan’s Hotel,
Tullow St. advertised that it was
unbeatable for its excellent cuisine and extensive Grillroom. It was
renowned for its large Ballroom, Lounge and Supper Rooms, the largest in
South Leinster. M. J. Dease, the proprietor’s nephew, was the manager.
It was replaced by the Ritz Cinema. This building was in poor condition
but is now being renovated.
Patrick Molloy had
a Bakery & Provisions Shop at 137, Tullow St.
It is now occupied by M/S Tully Travel Agents. Close by, P. Colgan had a
Stationery and Fancy Goods Warehouse in No's 135 & 136 and was a branch
of the Torch Library also. Allied Irish Finance now occupies No. 135.
‘TOP GEAR’ is at No. 136, which had been the residence of Gerald Kehoe
who had a Radio & Television business there for many years.
Garage and service station
J. J. Wall had a
Motor Garage and Service Station on the Kilkenny
Road. This site was sold to the Texaco Oil Co. Several houses
nearby were cleared by the Council many years ago. The advertisement
for Murphy’s at 2, 3 & 4, Tullow St.
said, “Don’t fail to visit our House, it is noted for Value in every
class of Drapery, Millinery & Piece Goods”. M/S Melville carries on the
same business in the premises. Miss Hoey of 28 & 29,
Tullow St. was a Stationer & Newsagent.
Catholic Prayer Books and Irish-made Rosary Beads were a speciality. A.
O’Brien has a Jewellery business there now.
James McDermott
carried on a Family Grocery, Wine & Spirit Merchants and his descendants
are still in the same business another of the few families remaining at
the same location over the years. Brigid Kearney had a Flour Meal &
Corn Stores in Coal Market. It is now
occupied by Greg Fitzmaurice as a Bacon & Meat Store. Mrs. King was a
Grocer and Spirit Merchant at No. 27, Tullow St.
Her son Jimmy years until retirement. Jim Fogarty was his successor and
carries on the Wine & Spirit business.
J. J. Dunphy was a Builder &
Contractor at 52, Tullow St. Sanitary
Work was a Speciality. He also had a Wine & Spirit business. M/S
Archbold now continue the Wine & Spirit business with a Lounge &
Ballroom titled ‘El Ruedo’, mainly Disco Dancing. “The Cafe”, No. 6,
Tullow St., Proprietress - B. Dillon, was
a Private Hotel, Restaurant and Soda Fountain with a Ladies’
Hairdressing Saloon attached. T. McDonald runs a Men’s Drapery Store now
under the title of “Mac's. Richard Byrne had a Motor & Cycle Works and
Garage. He was also a Haulage Contractor at No. 80,
Tullow St., now occupied by part of the L
& N Stores and he had a Confectionery Shop at No. 39. Michael White,
Pharmaceutical Chemist, is now the occupant.
“The talk of Carlow”
Tuomey’s Bacon is
“the talk of Carlow” according to their advt., also their Teas &
Grocery. “Denny’s” quality only stocked. Lennons Bar & Lounge now occupy
the premises. They also have an Auctioneering business under the title,
“Real Estate House”. William Purcell & Sons, 86,
Tullow St., were Ironmongers, Coach
Builders & Undertakers. Sadly the premises closed on the death of the
owner and have remained closed ever since. Harry Mayer had a Motor
Hackney business in 66, Tullow St. He was
the husband of Bridie Hayden who had a very successful General Supply
Shop for many years. The shop is now closed up.
“The Bishop Byrnes”
Patrick Byrne was a
Tea, Wine & Spirit Merchant at no. 72. It was commonly known as “The
Bishop Byrnes”. He also sold Delicious Teas. M/s. Caulfield continues
the licence trade there now. John McEvoy was a Wine and Spirit Merchant
at No. 66, he also sold Groceries and “Limerick Bacon & Hams” at lowest
prices, M/s. “Cee Gees” have a successful Lounge Bar there at present.
M/s. E. J. Nolan had a renowned Chemist Shop at the corner of
Tullow St. and
Dublin St. They had a large clientele and were also fully
qualified Opticians. It was known as the “Arcade Pharmacy”. His son has
an extensive photographic business supplying all amateur photographers
needs there now.
Finally
my own advertisement reveals the fact that Unisex Saloons are not an
innovation of recent years. It states that I catered for both Ladies and
Gents and that I held a Proficiency Certificate from the Gents Academy
in London for my work, also that we were established in 1905. I retired
from business last year for health reasons.
Parliamentary Debate 1934