57 & 58 Tullow Street -
Miss MT Kelly used to carry a Newspaper, Confectionery General
Stationers & Fancy Goods Warehouse business. This was started by her
grandparents in No’s 57 & 58, another of the oldest premises under the
one family name in the street. The premises was recently sold at auction
for a record price.
News Flash May 2005
"Kelly's
old shop front in Tullow street (see above).
Following the death of Miss Kelly last year (R.I.P., it has been sold
for, I'm told, Euros 2.5 million to the Thomas family, owners of the
shopping centre and multi-storey car park and of Thompson's Engineering
which used to be Thomas Thompson & Sons Ltd. When Thompson's were in
Hanover works (now the Superquinn shopping centre) they had a portion of
the rear of Miss Kelly's garden known as Kelly's field. No doubt it will
all be converted to retail units and or apartments."
Source: Carlowman c2005
59-60-61 Tullow Street - Coliseum
Cinema, Tullow Street, Carlow, now demolished. There
was a Coal Yard situated at the rear of the houses
62 Tullow Street -
Fiona's Beauty Clinic Beautician
66 Tullow Street -
The Medical Hall used to be John Foleys, he had a General Goods &
Haberdashery Store and a Confectionery. His son carried on
with a Pharmaceutical business.. Harry Mayer
had a Motor Hackney business. He was the husband of Bridie Hayden
who had a very successful General Supply Shop for many years. In the
1980's there was also
Dooleys High-Class Fruit, Sweets, Cigarettes and
Books. The shop is now closed up.
67 Tullow Street -
Reddy's (Est. 1768), In 1823 Reddy's was known as John Cullen's Hotel. Richard Paul
Malster carried on a malting business in a large store at the back of the
property. In 1853 Thomas Kelly became owner and the premises was called
"The Farmer's Inn." James Reddy took over the premises in 1870. In the
1901 census the head of the house was listed as Mary Reddy sharing with
her son James Reddy, also listed was Mary Coady - Servant and Aiden
Walshe, Veterinary Surgeon - lodger. Also of note in the 1901 census is
that listed among 13 out offices was included - 1 Coach house, 3 stables,
1 harness room, 1 potato house, 1 workshop and 2 stores. Up to the 1930's
Reddy's were also engaged in the undertaking business. In an Foras
Forbartha Architectural survey (1979) Reddy's is described as a
mid-nineteenth built dwelling in which the ground has been modernised in a
manner which respects the vertical lines of the upper storeys.
69 & 70 Tullow Street
- The Hughes family home.
70 Tullow Street
- The John Tyndall Restaurant,
currently up for auction.
71 Tullow Street - Having safely crossed the street we are now at No. 71 on the North
side of Tullow Street.
-
DOYLE's of The Shamrock - Until a few years ago there stood here a large early
eighteenth century house, which was built by the Hunt family in 1720
as their townhouse, it was at one time used as an officers quarters.
Brown Street was once named Hunt Street, called after Arthur Hunt. A
plaque on the gable wall of No. 15 Dublin Street, stated, “1776 Hunt
Street,” in 1800 the third generation of Hunts went bankrupt and all
their property was confiscated. Hunts house at the Shamrock became the
townhouse of the Fishbournes.
- Michael Ormonde and Sons had their corn stores at the back of
Fishbournes. Ormonde also sold flour, bran, potatoes and seeds. William
Byrne had a coal-market in another corner of what is now Doyle's yard. He
used to drive his car around the streets shouting ‘Buy my coal and I’ll
collect your ashes.” 1/- a bag, 2 bags and a penny for a florin. When he
retired he claimed “carrying the coal done me no harm it was carrying the
customers (on credit) that broke me”.
-
- The shop (now demolished) was built by Joseph Kinsella, who was
succeeded by Patrick Doyle, next came James Doyle who established a
coach-works and saw-mills as well as carrying on business in the public
house and grocery shop. The large house was then known as “The Shamrock
Hotel”. At the back of Doyle's was an area known as “The Paddock”: here
football and hurling matches were played, travelling shows and circuses
also used to set up here, after parading from the railway station through
the streets of Carlow. It was here under a tree known as “the Jobbers
tree”, that local women used to gather for hire as potato pickers and corn
binders.
- In 1900 James Doyle was registered as a hotel proprietor, the
following is a list of people who lived in the Doyle house in 1900: James
Doyle, Mary Doyle, Michael Doyle, engineer, and James grandson from
Australia - James Doyle. Workmen who lived on the premises were Michael
Noud, clerk; Dom Cryau, shop assistant; from Galway. Tom Maher, carpenter;
James Coogan, painter; Thomas Donnelly, baker from Leitrim; M. Kehoe, shop
assistant; Ellen Carr, family servant; Mary Griffin, general servant. At
this time Doyle's also had a bakery. Henry Corcoran and Barney Raftery
worked as bakers on the premises. Among the 14 out-offices listed were 3
workshops, 1 stable, 1 coach house; 1 harness room, 1 forge, 4 animal
houses and an ironmongery. The cast iron lettering over Nouds “A.
McElhoney” across the street was made in Doyles forge and is an example of
the excellent craftsmanship of the blacksmiths of that time.
-
- In 1908 James Doyle claimed that he had the most up-to-date
machinery for rubber-tyre wheels, he also had steam engines for hire.
- Doyles list of goods for sale in their hardware in 1908 read as
follows: bars, barbed wire, creels, carts and cars. stocks, spokes,
staples, spools, paling stakes, plain wire, nails, wire strainers, vans,
traps, wooden gates, wheels and all requisites for fencing.
- Services offered included: shoeing, felloes always on hand and wheel
repairing. 1992 Doyle's stocks and services are even more varied. The
goodwill they have accumulated from the public should guarantee them many
more successful years in business at the Shamrock.
- James Doyle’s great grandson Michael Doyle has carried out extensive
refurbishment and has expanded the business, making Doyles of the Shamrock
the oldest retail business in Tullow Street still in the same family. This
record may only be surpassed in the town of Carlow by Coleman's of Dublin
Street.
Note:
Doyle's Of The Shamrock Company Profile
- In 1884, James Doyle great-grandfather
of the present owner Michael Doyle opened Doyle's of the
Shamrock for business on 17th of March. This happened to be the
birthday of St. Patrick the patron Saint of Ireland as well as
the Irish National Holiday. He called the premises the Shamrock
in honour of St. Patrick.
- When Michael Doyle became Chairman and
CEO of the company, it employed 10 people and consisted of a
bar, grocery and a hardware store. He recognised that the retail
industry in Ireland was developing and chose to concentrate on
the hardware division to ensure future business success.
- The company has grown from a small
business into a major enterprise within Ireland, which now
employs 135 people across seven separate divisions.
-
An
exciting chapter of the company history was written in early
2004 with the development of an 11-acre site adjacent to the new
bypass road in Carlow. The hardware and hire operations moved to
a 5-acre portion on the site in Marc 2004, leaving Shamrock
Square for the first time since 1884. The remaining 6-acres are
being further developed as a Retail Park to complement the
existing business.
-
- Doyle's of the Shamrock is proud to
say that they have won the national Builders Merchants of the
Year Award in 1986-87, 1996-97, and 1998-99, a feat not equalled
by any other firm in the country. The Builders Merchants Award
is judged on tidiness of the store, range of product lines,
support for Irish goods, health and safety staff training,
marketing, display, customer service, staff knowledge and
efficient management practices.
72 Tullow Street -
At the turn of the century
Patrick Byrne was a Tea, Wine & Spirit Merchant. It was commonly known
as “The Bishop Byrnes”. He also sold Delicious Teas. Byrne shared with
his sister-in-law, Nora Conway, and his niece Mary O’Reilly. As well as
carrying on the licensed trade he was also an auctioneer, he supplied
hot dinners and luncheons and claimed he had stabling accommodation for
100 horses at the back of the Palace’. After Bishop Byrne the premises
was acquired by Jimmy Nolan, the Kinsellas, then Gormans, Donie Nolan,
Caulfield’s, Nicholas Finn. Martin Ryan T,V. and Electrical and was
previously Dowling’s butcher shop and forms part of the front of this
premises. M/s. Caulfield continued the licence trade there. It also was
know as The Acorn / Shamrock Bar.
73 Tullow Street - This was the private dwelling of Annie Ellis and her servant Alice
Deegan. Sam Roche, solicitor, had his offices here for a while, it has now
reverted back to a private house.
- 74 - 76 Tullow Street - McDermotts licensed premises incorporates No’s 74, 75, and 76. No.
74 was Patrick Breens who later acquired No. 75 and established a bar and
grocery in 1890. The premise was registered as having 7 stables and 1
coach house to the rear. He was joined in 1900 by his sister Mrs.
Catherine McDermott and her family of 4 boys and 5 girls. One of the
McDermott sons later took over the business and in the 1920’s he bought
No. 76 which had originally belonged to Thomas Lawler who was registered
as an Irish speaker: It passed to Matthew and Sarah Kavanagh in 1907. It
was at that time known as ‘The Harp Bar’, Matthew Kavanagh was very
popular and carried on the business of bar and grocery until the 1920’s
when he sold to an American couple by the name of Quill. After
Quills, McDermott’s absorbed the premises. Elaine’s Bridal Boutique
occupied part of this premises, which was McDermotts grocery shop.
McDermotts is the only public house to be occupied by the fourth
generation of the same family in the town of Carlow. During the war of
Independence, publicans who had stables or out-houses would be required by
the British Army to provide accommodation for the soldiers and their
horses. The army’s enforced stay was not looked forward to because upon
their departure any items not locked away would disappear. It was during
one of those ‘stays’ that a British soldier fell to his death from one of
the top windows of No.76., marks found afterwards on the widow sill and
surrounding wall seemed to suggest foul play.
- In 1900 Michael Brophy - Journalist lodged at No. 76. I could not
determine if this was the same Michael Brophy who wrote “Carlow Past and
Present”.
- The same premises are occupied today by TEACH DOLMAIN. This
multi award winning pub in the centre of Carlow portrays the Dolmen
period of Carlow’s history and heritage in its pottery and artefacts
throughout the bar and restaurant.
77 & 78 Tullow Street - Nannie Nolan's is next to McDermotts and has large
red enamelled advertising sign outside the shop front. Before Nolan’s
were in No. 77 we had Feely’s Top Shop; they made and supplied spinning
tops to the youth of the town. A large notice in the window proclaimed
‘A Feely top will not stop’.
-
Before Nolan's we had Mikie Connors, dyer and cleaner; he
specialised in beaver and bowler hats, but if the dyed articles got wet
the dye would run off. Edwin Boake recalled that Mikie Connors had black
skin from years of constant work at dyes. When Mikie got ill and went to
the county infirmary, he was scrubbed clean and the story went that, “he
wasn’t able to bear the loss of his ‘dye’, so he “died”.
- Connors was replaced by Barth Meehan’s carpentry shop; his two sons,
Christy and Gerry, worked with him on the premises. Nolan's acquired No. 77
from Feely’s and started a sweet and stationery shop, later when they
acquired No. 78 from Meehans they established the Carlow Dairy. Nannie
worked in both shops from the time she could walk and in her 85 years of
life she served generations of Carlovians. Her brothers John, Patrick and
Edward helped run the business.
Notes from Michael Purcell c.2009:
- Edward Nolan joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers and fought in the Boer War.
Shortly before her death in August 1967 Nannie Nolan gave me Edwards’s
diary and box of letters that he and his companions (Mulhall and Byrne)
from Carlow wrote home while stationed in South Africa and India.
-
Nannie Nolan and her brother had started the collection of the
Carlow edition of The Nationalist and Leinster Times newspaper
cuttings in the early 1900s and the practice was continued by her
nephew, John Ledwidge.
-
I was told many years ago that it was Nannie's wishes that I would
inherit much of her family and shop archival collection.
-
Last Monday (19th Jan 09) I was requested to clear out
the contents of the shop.
-
I had only one hour to sort out the contents before the demolition
crew moved in. The shop had closed in 1964 and most of the contents
had remained undisturbed, it was like walking into a living museum.
-
I managed to retrieve several boxes of newspaper cuttings collected
over the 100 years. I also saved some nice photographs, all of which
between myself and Michael Brennan we will be adding to this website
in due course.
-
Unfortunately for me, due to a misunderstanding I lost a few
dozen old posters and signs that were in the shop, some of which
dated back to Victorian times, many of which are now highly prized
collector's items.
-
Nevertheless I am very pleased that I got the opportunity to go
through the premises before it was gutted.
|
- 79, 80 & 81 Tullow Street
- Lawler’s the Plough bar and lounge
and Undertakers, was originally John Whelan’s ‘Plough Hotel’.
Jimmy Cummins was manager here for awhile. Lawler’s acquired the
Plough in the 1920’s. The sign “Cod Speed the Plough, is still to be
seen outside the premises.
- 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.
80 - 81 Tullow Street -
Racey Byrne's 'The Plough' (this information was taken from an
advert for Bushmills Irish Whiskey. The tiled
floor, brick walls, messenger boy bicycles, old barrels, saddles and a
selection of varyingly sized copper jugs hanging from the beamed ceiling
together with the myriad of enamel signs and pub memorabilia give Racey
Byrne's a certain ambience. Located in centre of Carlow town, the
building dates back to 1678, and there's been a pub on this site since
1829. The bric-a-brac is matched by the colourful locals, who frequent
this old-style pub. The atmosphere is convivial and chatty and the
proprietors and bar staff are particularly friendly, giving this pub a
feeling of instant warmth.
- 82 Tullow Street - R. N. Gillman Dental Surgeon was previously a store
for the L. & N. and Lawlers at one time established a butcher’s shop here.
Where we now have the entrance to the L. & N. Supermarket there stood
several premises.
-
-
83 & 84 Tullow Street - No. 83 was originally home to Tom and Mary- Anne Byrnes; No. 83 and 84
was also a provision shop and public house for years. They employed as
their barmen, Dan Murray and Tom Meade. Byrnes had a large yard where
people were invited to leave their horses while shopping in town. They
was also a funeral undertakers and hired out sidecars and wagonets. Tom
Byrne was father of P. J. Byrne who was a solicitor to the Board of
Guardians, Board of Health and the Urban Council; William was also a
solicitor, Edward was an auctioneer and Thomas Byrne who took over his
father’s business before selling out to Cunninghams who were succeeded by
Shevlins Bar Grocery and Bakery.
- Beside Shevlins was James Haydens, Bootmakers shop. He lived with
his sons, Patrick, who married Ellen Purcell (Tullow Street, Carlow). They
had no children but later he became a famous handballer, and Michael who later
established a confectionery shop at 42 Tullow Street, where the Nationalist now have their
stationery shop. Haydens were replaced by Brennans and upon Ina Brennan's
death the premises was sold to the L & N.
- Lismard House Development which comprises Uptown Hair Fashions,
Murph’s Shoe repairs and Key Cutting etc, The Celtic Bookmakers, Knits and
Bits, D Tile Store, Kellistown Glass, Ken Black supertoys and nursery, Tamaras Pizza &
Pasta Restaurant and C.K.R. Radio Station.
- In the 1930’s Purcell’s had a
hardware store and were coach builders, ironmongers and undertakers. They
also repaired motor lorry and van bodies with rubber-tyres a specialty.
Purcells was used as a headquarters for Fianna Fail for many years.
-
  86 Tullow Street - William Purcell & Sons, were Ironmongers, Coach Builders & Undertakers.
Sadly the premises closed on the death of the owner and have remained
closed ever since.
-
- Images are of the Account Book of Mrs. P
Purcell Nov 1930 to July 1932
-
- Just a little note of personal interest
from J.J. Woods in relation to the account book is that the
handwriting is that of my late mother. She used to run the
hardware shop as well as running the house up to the time she
got married. She was Julia Purcell and her family had the
hardware business, coachbuilding and funeral undertaking
operating from No. 86. Tullow Street.
- Regards,
- J. J. Woods April 2007
|
87 Tullow Street - This was Rafters Bakery before it was
acquired by Whelan’s. Whelan sold American flour and American bacon, dairy
and agricultural salts, Jarro and English coal. He was an extensive corn
and coal dealer and he had stores in Bridewell Lane in what was formerly
the Old Gaol. Whelan also kept stables and had some very fine racehorses.
92 Tullow Street - Byrne The plaque below is on the wall to the
right of the shop
No
information available at this time for
No
93 - 110 Tullow Street
111 Tullow Street -
Mary Walsh ran a most successful Bakery &
Confectionery on these premises for many years. It
is now occupied by Celtic Cleaners.
112 Tullow Street
- J. McDonalds - Public House & Grocery which replaced the 'Cather
Inn' is one of the oldest established business premises in Carlow. It
has remained in the same trade since 1668. Foley Bros were Family
Grocers and Wine & Spirits Merchants. It was then
called “The Old House” in the 1930/40s and then
"Dinty Delaneys". It was then renamed "The Bad
Shilling" for a short while when it was owned by
Ned Dowling. It then was bought by a popular
publican namely Aidan Lennon and was renamed
"Lennon's Corner". Also at that time it became
known as "The Pan of Rashers". Aidan Lennon who
had originally opened a public house in the early
1970s in Toumeys grocery and bacon shop in Tullow
Street. He relocated to 112 and
renamed the public house "Lennon's Corner" in the
early 1980s. It is on the corner of College
Street and Tullow Street. The Presentation Convent
on the next corner is now the Carlow County
Library. The premises is today (2006) known as
"The Med Bar".
113 Tullow Street -
The Presentation Convent
121
Tullow Street - "When King James II came to
the throne of England in 1685, Mr Browne
suffered great hardships and loss. His house was
occupied by his enemies and his family
imprisoned. His land and stock sequestered and
plundered and still worse might have happened
only for the intervention of a worthy and
respectable Roman Catholic gentleman of the name
of Allen from Pollerton near Carlow town. Upon
their release Robert Browne-Clayton built a
roomy Mansion close to the Tullow Gate in Carlow
town." In 2007 Lennons Cafe Bar occupied these
premises.
122
Tullow Street - This was also the location of Thomas (Tom) Doran's Outfitters.
The shop was then taken over by Sheile Holden in the 1970s and it
had the name Holdens (I will get the exact name for you) until 1989.
- Source of the Doran's info comes from Stephanie Howard . Tom
Doran was Stephanie's Great Grand Father and Sheile Holden was her
Great Aunt..
Note: Thomas Doran his wife Anne and his daughter Bridget are
listed in the 1911 Census under 82. Yellow Street. Carlow. (Mistake in
the census it should read Tullow Street) MB.
This shop was well known for the supply of outfits for boys and girls
taking their 1st Communion and Confirmation'
125 Tullow Street
- 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.
126 -Tullow
Street
- According to The New Commercial Directory
for the Town Carlow. 1839. there was a Mr. Andrew Dwyer, Baker,
occupying these premises.
127 Tullow Street
- Goldmark Jewellers,
Jewellers and Watchmakers.
130 Tullow Street -
in 1839 there was a
Joshua Haughton; Leather Seller. In 1846 Margaret Ryan was in
the Linen & Woollen trade. In 1870 the premises
on 130 & 131 was occupied by Matthias Tynan Car
and Coach Owner. Source:
Slaters Directory.
132 Tullow Street -
Bosco's butcher shop. Quality Meat, Fish and Poultry.
- 133 Tullow Street -
Tynan’s Hotel, 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.
- Cosmo Brown @ The Ritz now occupy this site.
135 & 136 Tullow Street
- P. Colgan had a Stationery and Fancy Goods Warehouse
here and was a branch of the Torch Library. Allied Irish Finance now
occupies number 135.
136 Tullow Street -
This was the residence of Gerald Kehoe who had a Radio & Television
business there for many years.
TOP GEAR’ now occupy the premises.
137 Tullow Street -
This was once the premises of Patrick Molloy had a Bakery & Provisions Shop.
It is now occupied by M/S Tully Travel Agents.
138 Tullow Street -
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 also a Hosiery factory.
- 139 Tullow Street
- Mrs. Robert Gough carried on a Drapery, Millinery, Boot
& Fancy Warehouse at these premises.
- 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. It is now EuroZ
142 Tullow Street
- Darrers
Stores, Drapery & Grocery was a landmark store on the street
before it closed. Houstons renovated the building and now operate
there.
143 Tullow Street
- Once was
occupied by The Carlow
Book Shop (1990) now
occupied by
GRAHAMS.
145 Tullow Street
- Tuomey’s Bacon is
“the talk of Carlow” according to their advert., also their Teas &
Grocery. “Denny’s” quality only stocked. They also
have an Auctioneering business under the title,
“Real Estate House”.
No
information available at this time for 146
147. Tullow Street -
Peter Belton operated a Hardware shop here.
148 - Tullow Street -
Tully's Bar
149.
Tullow Street
- Tully's Bar at one time was owned by
Michael McDonnell - Public House
150. Tullow Street -
now occupied by
COCOON Maternity and Children's Clothes.
- (The above photo appeared in
Michael Purcell's article on Tullow Street - August 25th 2006 in
The Nationalist). 150 Tullow Street is bottom left
of the picture next to the Milk cart.
151. Tullow Street -
BENETTON.
152 Tullow Street - Patrick Karanagh, Apothecary. (Directory
for the Town Carlow 1839)
153 Tullow Street - John Mullan, Publican, (Directory
for the Town Carlow 1839)
-
- E. J. Nolan, Confectionery - Does anyone recognise where
this shop is/was? Maybe Tullow?
Carlow sponsors which appeared in the
CARLOVIANA 1987/88
This page is still awaiting more
information
