BY JIMMY SOMERS

SOURCE: THE ATHENRY JOURNAL, VOL. 2, NO. 1, 1996

This part of the story covers North Gate Street and, as before, I’m speaking from memory and if there are any mistakes I’m sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about them.

Daly’s Drapery

The first shop in Northgate Street was Daly’s Drapery – a big shop – where Martin Burke’s is now. It was owned by Chris Daly, his sister Ida, and two brothers Eugene and Alo. Willy Scally, John Curran, Aggie Coffey (now Mrs. Kilkelly, Galway) and Mary Duffy (now Mrs. Kindregan, Mountpelier) worked there. As far as I know the ladies were called ‘milliners’ in drapery shops at that time.

“Miss Doherty’s, The Gables”, Annie Jo and Aggie.

Next door lived the “Miss Doherty’s, The Gables”, Annie and Aggie Jo. They sold sweets and had an ice cream parlour, which was a great meeting place for us young lads at that time. You got a bowl of ice cream and a raspberry for sixpence plus the attraction of nice staff. Margaret Clancy, Margaret Monaghan and Nora Joyce worked there.

Mattie Cunniffe

After that came Mattie Cunniffe the cobbler. He had four sons and one daughter called Lolo.

“Basty” Nolan’s,

Next came “Basty” Nolan’s, a pub and a big shop. I remember fletches of bacon hanging from the ceiling there. He also sold “salted ling” which was specially in stock for the season of Lent. Nora Cahallan worked there. She is now living somewhere in the “States”.

Jim Fahy’s shop

Next came Jim Fahy’s shop. He was the father of Tom and Seamus who now own the Centra Supermarket there. He had a nice grocery shop and was famous for selling bicycles. Rita Gannon (now Mrs. Greaney), Mary Dolan (now Mrs. Johnny Whelan) and Catherine Burke (now Mrs. Somers) worked there.

James Walshe’s pub

James Walshe’s pub is now Dan’s Bar and is run by Ann and Juno Barrett. James had one son who became a priest. He was called Bobby after Bobby Beggs, a “Dub”, who was a good footballer and played for Galway. He always wore knickerbocker pants at school.

Mrs. Ryan

Mrs. Ryan had a sweet shop next door and always displayed her goods in the window. On a sunny day the cat came out and lay in the window.

Gerry Burke

Where Gerry Burke has now recently re-opened there was a pub owned by Mrs. Fallon. Afterwards it was run by the Houlihan family. Jackie was a great character.

James Ruane’s

Next was James Ruane’s. He sold Ferguson Tractors, threshing machines, ploughs and agricultural goods. It was a big shop with a huge yard. As far as I know he generated electricity for the town long before the ESB was heard of. I think he also had a mineral water factory. One of his clerks was Mr. Farrell, who had some connection with Pakie Dooley, Boyhill. Miss Brannelly also worked in the office. She still lives in Athenry. Jimmy Kerins also worked there.

Martin Glynn’s pub

Next was Martin Glynn’s pub now run by his daughter Rita. Martin came from Cappataggle.

Corbett’s

Then came Corbett’s, a large shop and yard – they were a branch of “Corbett’s of Galway”. In the grocery department worked Jimmy Kilgarrif, Vincent Feeney, Jim Kelly and Paddy Callanan. In the hardware section were Willie Kenny, John Lohan, Gerry Bradley, Ita McGrath and Frank Kilkelly. In the office were Mrs. Curley, Ger Browne, Jim Doherty and Paddy Regan. John Corbett was a manager. He lived in Park. Even though the shop was officially closed he stood at the gate every Sunday morning to serve people. I recall the story of the lad who asked him for a few rabbit snares and was delighted when he got sheep spancils by mistake. John wondered why the boy bought the lot instead of the few that he had asked for. Snares cost a few pence and spancils were worth half a crown. Tommy Reilly was in the yard in charge of the potato section. Jimmy McCormack also worked there. Jimmy Burke and Willie Caulfield drove lorries. Next came Hession’s butcher shop and grocery. They also bought wool and oats. It was a great countryman’s shop and old Mike Hession’s advice was sought far and wide. His sons Paddy, Owen and “Francheen” helped with the shop and farm. Paddy, a very popular man. was the butcher for years and it was only recently that his wife Meg retired from business.

Frank O’Rourke

Frank O’Rourke had the house next door. He was a guard. Dominic and Patricia Parr live there now.

John Donoghue

John Donoghue came next. He had a shop and sold sweets and toys. There was ladies’ hairdressers run by Kathleen Blade in this house also.

Mrs. Reilly

Next came Mrs. Reilly where Tommy Cheevers is now. She was a relative of Tommy Cheevers mother.

Pat Duffy

Pat Duffy had a pub and shop at the Arch. His wife owned The Railway Hotel. Pat was a well-known figure in Athenry. After this came a butcher shop owned by a man called Eily Connors.

P.J. Greaney’s

Across the road was Pat Duffy’s store where P.J. Greaney’s supermarket was. Barbara and Gabriel Duffy have just taken over there now.

Doherty’s.

Next was Doherty’s. They sold sweets and ice cream.

Waldron family

The Waldron family lived in the house beside them. This had a railing outside; I think Ned was born there.

Corbett’s coal yard

Then there was Corbett’s coal yard and a yard owned by Hession’s.

Peter Scahill and Mick Goode

Next lived Peter Scahill and Mick Goode in two small houses across from Corbett’s gate. Behind these houses was the Protestant Church. This is to be “converted” into a Heritage Centre.

Jodie Curran

Jodie Curran then lived where Tommy Coppinger owns a shop now beside Fitzsimon’s drapery shop. Eddie Somers worked there and later married Rhoda, their daughter. Jane Kilkelly, Joy McGuinness, Gerry McNamara and Bridie Bane worked there.

Annie Kelly’s pub

Across the lane was Annie Kelly’s pub. You went down steps to the bar. She had three sons, Michael, Timmy and John. One of them was a great handballer.

Saddler and a tailor

After that came a saddler and a tailor. The tailor, I think was Willie Curtain and the saddler’s name – as far as I know – Mr Bane.

Bradley’s shop

Next came Bradley’s shop where John Staunton lived until recently.

Joey McCabe

Then there was the “famous” Joey McCabe, a well-known character in the town.

All these buildings have changed since then.

“Paper Shop”

After that is the present “Paper Shop” now owned by the Neary family, who also own “The Shopping Basket” in Church Street. This shop was owned by Willie Higgins, Prospect for years.