Mayo memories: When 'Rocky’s’ expanded their business in 1960

By Tom Gillespie

OLDER readers will recall with fondness the business of Thomas (Rocky) Moran on Linenhall Street, Castlebar.

Their motto was ‘rock bottom’ prices, which was shortened by local wits to 'Rocky’s'.

Sixty-six years ago, in the lead-up to Christmas 1960, Thomas Moran’s reopened after extensive renovations and the occasion was highly publicised in The Connaught Telegraph.

The article read: A new phase of progress in the commercial life of Castlebar, Mayo’s county town, will be reached on Friday, December 16, 1960, when Thomas Moran and Sons Ltd., famous west of Ireland business, reopen their new business premises after reconstruction and modernisation.

The reopening of this impressive premises will undoubtedly be one of the big attractions to Christmas shoppers in the town and district.

The widely-known old house of Thomas Moran and Sons Ltd., a noted landmark and business centre in the town, was recently demolished and has been replaced by a new imposing structure as attractive as any similar premises of its kind in provincial Ireland.

In keeping with the modern trends of business, it is designed so as to afford the best possible service to customers.

In the lay-out special attention has been given to display facilities to afford the greatest possible convenience to customers.

Colourfully painted, artistically decorated and brightly illuminated, it is designed in similar lines to the modern self-service store that is becoming a popular feature of the business premises of today.

But it is not the intention of the proprietors to use it as such. Instead, under the personal supervision of the directors, a helpful staff will be there at all times to advise, assist and serve the customers with the courtesy and efficiency which have become synonymous with this old-established firm.

In the lay-out, as mentioned, all the goods will be displayed to the best advantage, and through this it will make shopping a much greater pleasure and much less drudgery for the busy housewife, the hurrying family man and the farmer and rural resident who rushes into town for his requirements.

Indeed these easily accessible sections of the various store apartments are the most outstanding feature of the new premises, which have been designed by Mr. T.J. Egan, B.E., and erected by Messers J.P. McCormack and Sons Ltd., Castlebar.

Thomas Moran and Sons Ltd. was founded in the historic, eventful years of 1916, and ever since then has continued to progress and expand until today it enjoys the enviable position of being one of the most popular and renowned business concerns in the west.

The firm was founded by Mr. Thomas Moran, a dominant and dynamic figure in the business life of Castlebar for many years.

A member of a very prominent Mayo family and a native of Parke, Castlebar, he had the advantage of an exciting business training before he assumed control of the present business premises from the late Mrs. Catherine Bourke. He served for a period in McCormack’s, a leading hardware shop at Main Street, Castlebar; later at Mr. M. Gibbons' of Westport; at McEllin’s of Balla, and finally at Shaw’s of Mullingar.

Some 30 years ago (1930) he purchased the adjoining licensed premises owned by Mr. Pat McHale.

In 1943 Mr. Moran extended and greatly improved his general business premises, and under his expert supervision the firm continued to prosper and expand until his demise in 1947.

He has been succeeded in the businesses by his two sons, Messers Mattie and Michael Moran (pictured), two able and worthy representatives of a truly great and successful man, and the erection of the beautiful new premises is proof positive that they are carrying on the same progressive tradition.

During the past 44 years many changes have taken place in the county town. As the town continues to expand and prosper, so also did the firm of Thomas Moran and Sons Ltd. The various additions are made to keep abreast of the times; new lines were introduced to cater for the changing tastes of customers, while everything possible was done to foster and continue the excellent trading relations with the public inspired by those long years of cordial association with them.

Today the directors can feel proud of the wonderful reputation of courtesy, service and value now so firmly established; they can also feel very proud of their new emporium, which is yet another step forward in the history of the town.

But the firm is not only noted for the service it offers; it also carries possibly the largest and most varied stocks of goods in every conceivable line. These include grocery, hardware, kitchen ware, stoves, heaters, furniture, cement, timber, coal, building materials, hay sheds, farm machinery, spares, undertaking requisites, and so on, while adjoining the main premises is the modern lounge bar, in which only the best brands of wines and spirits are stocked.

In rebuilding and modernising their premises, the desire of the directors is to give a better every day service to their customers.

They have organised a special, more efficient delivery service and phone orders from each department will be carefully and expeditiously dealt with.

The new premises will add considerably to Linenhall Street, where it is sited, and, in the manner of the old in its day, continue to be a landmark in these more modern years.

It will, too, be an asset to the appearance of the county town, so that is something of which every citizen can be proud.

May we congratulate Thomas Moran and Sons Ltd., and wish the firm continued progress and prosperity in the years ahead.