Last orders at landmark premises after 123 years
THE May bank holiday marked the end of an era in Ballinlough as the very popular O’Connor's Bar & Grocery closed its doors for business having been at the heart of the community for 123 years, where it was a hub of connectivity for young and old, writes Michael Byrne.
The venue was a most popular visiting house for many patrons from Ballyhaunis and surrounding districts for meetings, quizzes, social drinks and post-match gatherings, as well as birthday parties and funeral gatherings, where the local news was disseminated – the good and not-so-good.
It was the weekly friendly face for so many as Donie (O’ Connor) navigated the byways with his travelling shop. He sold everything from a box of matches to bags of beef nuts and everything in between!
More important than the products on sale was the bond it created in the Ballinlough community over so many decades. The store was operated for many years with great efficiency and success by Donie’s parents, the late Jarlath and Eileen O’Connor (RIP).
The community will also miss Joe Keane, who has served the family business for all of 57 years, and not forgetting Orla O’Connor for the lively banter at the counter!
The late Jarlath O’Connor, who operated the family business for many decades, was brother of the late Josie Eaton, Main Street, Ballyhaunis.
We wish Donie and the O’Connor family and staff every health and happiness to enjoy the slower mornings in the times ahead.
Local woman Claire Treacy recalls trips to O'Connor's: “From the early days of heading down to pick up Mama Hussey's 'messages' (including the nagin of something!) to the 'penny sweets', great debates, to coming home on Christmas Eve with a bagful of assorted groceries that Orla had forced me to buy when leaving the pub that night ("Don't forget the carrots for Rudolph!"), it's been a staple. Lovely memories of Jarlath and Eileen too. Happy retirement, Donie. Thank you, Joe and Orla for all that you brought over the years. And I'm sorry it took me so long to decide which penny sweets would make it in my 10p allowance that week all those years ago.”
Another regular, Kathleen Steele, had this to say: “Best wishes to Donie, Orla and Joe Keane. I am so sad to hear that O'Connor's is no more. I grew up with this shop and many years later enjoyed the craic in the bar. I remember as a kid we would go with Mum and Dad for the Christmas shopping, it was a big evening out, this was back in Jarlath's time. My dad (Michael John McDermott), God rest him, loved this place. He would be out back having a smoke and Mrs. O'Connor was having none of it, as she would bring him into her kitchen to have his smoke. Of course, retirement has to come and I wish all of you nothing but the very best of health and happiness and relaxation for the future.”