Maurice Kelly's Butcher Shop
Maurice Kelly opened his Butcher shop in the Southside Shopping Centre in 1982. He took over the premises of the previous occupant - Byrnes Butchers who had been in situ since the initial opening in 1970. Maurice himself eventually closed operations in 1998 along with many other establishments. In the interim he and his staff provided much of the nearby Togher district with their meat supplies for close on 17 years and fostered a close relationship with the community of which he spoke highly. Maurice stated that Ray Murray Ltd. were the main stakeholders of the Complex still known affectionately as the Five Star or " Fiva " even though the anchor tenant had long since gone. The company eventually sold off the site to Lidl circa 2003 due in no small part to lack of business and intense competition from other Shopping Centres in the vicinity.
While there Maurice witnessed the closure of original tenants T.C.C. O'Brien's whose premises were next occupied by O'Sullivan's who traded as a Grocery store. The original Launderette to the left of his shop closed and the building converted to a T.V. repair shop operated by Gus Healy. Ironically , the former Bank Of Ireland premises which ceased business in the late 1970s became a Launderette headed up by Jim Casey. Other traders were the Chipper on the top level of the site and a Chemist run by O'Riordan's until retirement.
Maurice was one of the last to shut up shop in the once thriving Shopping Centre which had opened to such promise all those years ago in 1970. Even though the entire site was demolished in 2005 it has entered the folklore of many Togher residents both home and abroad and is still spoken of fondly to this day. The Blog would like to thank Maurice for his memories of those far off days which live on in the minds of all associated with Togher.
Carol Brown
Employee Carol Brown ( nee Molloy ) from Togher Square: I worked there since I was 15 till I got married and had my son Ian...Maurice was great to work for...like everyone's daddy...himself and Pauline were actually at our wedding...I knew everyone coming in obviously...he ran saving clubs for Easter and Christmas...used to dread school holidays with all the penny sweets...it was like a little supermarket...I started in 83 /84 and left In 91...great shortcut through the lane by flats.
Mags Murphy
Customer Mags Murphy from Sycamore Place: Maurice used to cash my cheque from work at Togher Community Development where Swan Beds is now where we made rain gear! Everyone else got theirs cashed at the TSB bank on Clashduv Road but I had to take mine home to the mother for her to see what I got every week as she didn't trust me hahaha! She took most of it too for my 'keep' and I got a few bob back. Jeez you'd be lucky to be handed up a few quid off them nowadays if they are still living at home.!...Maurice Kelly never failed to cash my cheques! Lovely man. And many a time I had to buy the chops out of it for the dinner lol!
Imelda Twomey Murphy
Customer Imelda Twomey Murphy from Tramore Road : It was like a family tradition for my family as we all worked there at some stage. It was our Saturday job while going to school. My sister got mugged one day coming from the TSB bank with coins for the weekend. From what I can remember there was a lad called Tony O Sullivan and a full time butcher called Vincent. Can't remember his last name
2 comments:
Hi there. We are from Australia.
In 1982 my husband and I were hitchhiking from a hurling game in Cork when Maurice, Pauline and their children picked us up and took us home for dinner. They were so friendly and generous and we enjoyed talking about the game of hurling and of course our Australian Rules football. It is only just now that I have found a Christmas card that we had lost, sent from them in 1983. I hope that they will get to read this and know that we have never forgotten their kindness.
Karen and Peter Canny
What a lovely memory. Thanks for sharing.
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