McHale family bidding adieu to their popular Mayo newsagency

The news that Michael and Helen McHale are retiring from their Newstand Shop – opposite Dunnes Stores – in Castlebar comes as a disappointment to their many friends and customers.

Over the years, the couple had built up a loyal coterie of customers.

Indeed, their shop was a happy hunting ground for Lotto aficionados.

For a time so many wins were recorded that the outlet became known as “the luckiest Lotto shop in Ireland."

Not everybody knows it, but Michael and Helen are originally from Ballina.

They began their working lives in the 1970s, both as employees of the Western People when the ‘Western’ was then based at Francis Street in the north Mayo town.

Michael later worked for the Irish Press serving in the western region.

Over the decades he has built up a knowledge of the newspaper and retail business par excellence.

Both Michael and Helen are wished long and happy years in the quieter gardens of retirement.

They will be missed in the town centre and further afield in the Mayo business world.