08 February, 2018

Walsh's Shop


Bridget’s drapery and newspaper shop is probably the last original trading interior in Ballinrobe.   This preserved frontage has windows on either side of the entrance with access to the rear through the shop.  It is a three story building with two bays on each of the two upper floors.
Internally, there are two counters, one on either side with shelving on the back walls.   One will find no video games, DVDs or modern technology here, which makes it all the more interesting as it is a centre of social interaction, with updates on the latest events in town being exchanged here e.g. death notices, marriages, farming updates and the weather; a very valuable resource for the local community.   As a consequence, a loyal and large customer base shop here on a daily basis, where there is always time to say hello.
Items for sale in Bridget’s Shop
On the left side, where discussions often take place on the best type of product for ones requirements, is the drapery section with items including, gloves, thermal vests, wrap around aprons, wool jumpers both ladies and children’s’, sweatshirts, patterns for knitting, knitting and crochet needles, thread, buttons, baby wear and gifts and scarves.   At the centre of the shop one will find post cards and greeting cards.  
On your right side will be envelopes, writing paper, biros and pens, children’s  and adult books, games, jigsaws, note books, receipt books, newspapers, magazines, board games, calendars, diaries, pritt glue stick, sellotape, paper clips, cigarettes, tobacco, matches, sweets and chocolate.   There are probably as many more items available also.

Info courtesy of the Historical Ballinrobe Website

Update: End of an Era
Very sad to learn of the final closing of Walsh's Shop, Abbey St. Ballinrobe. Bridget Brown, ran the popular Walsh’s Newsagents on Abbey Street for over 30 years. It was always a pleasure to drop into Walsh's and chat to Bridget. Bridget's shop will be missed by so many of her loyal customers and friends. We wish her good health on her retirement.
 

Bridget in her shop

photo courtesy of the Ballinrobe Historical website

28 comments:

  1. And so all the certainties of the past disappear inescapable.

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  2. Fantástico e não houve alterações ao longo dos anos.
    Um abraço e continuação de boa semana.

    Andarilhar
    Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
    O prazer dos livros

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  3. Oh this is so sad, to see all the pretty shops disapppear. Love the interior with Bridget!

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  4. Bereft of Bridget, what will Ballinrobe do?
    What a loss for everyone!

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  5. It will be hard to replace what the placed served and did

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  6. I thought she sold drapes and newspapers. Lol. It sounded like an unusual combination.

    The community will miss such an important gathering place! Best wishes to Bridget!

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  7. It is always such a shame to see these wonderful old places shut their doors. It is too bad there is not someone that would come in and take over and keep the place open. Sad. Have a great day!

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  8. I love old places , but time changing everything ,greetings,Joan

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  9. Hello Bill.
    This is very sad to see old shops disappear.
    The same is happening here too,but the local shops are effective from the big crisis.
    Your picture is very beautiful!
    Have a lovely evening!
    Dimi...

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  10. What a wonderful place to shop and a great meeting place! So sad that the shop is closing, I would have liked to read that someone took it over for Bridget and kept it going.

    A lot of the old stores that were owned by the same family have closed in town where I live. It's so sad!

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  11. Sad to see such a wonderful place close. I'm sure it will be missed. It is a lovely old building!

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  12. Oh my, that is sad to see such a loved business closing it's doors. It's very hard to find places like you have described in this day and age.

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  13. Times change. Too bad this business could not be sold to someone who could continue it. BTW, love seeing your photos. We have had a great time wandering around Ireland in years past.

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  14. It is sad when businesses like this come to the end of their time.

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  15. Looks like the kind of place that people in the community could just hang out. It's nice that she is retiring but sad for the community.

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  16. Time changes things and some times everything is changed. I don't like change, probably because it reminds me of my own mortality!

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  17. That is sad to hear. I hope she has a nice retirement!

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  18. That's a curious combination of products.

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  19. It's always sad to see the end of an institution like this. There aren't a lot of places that sell some of the things mentioned here, or they're few and far between. And so many places are intent on just moving people through (though in my working days I never took time to socialize).

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  20. It is a great pity when such shops close down.

    Beautiful building.

    God bless.

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  21. The inventory on the shelves makes it look like a successful enterprise.

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  22. Oh what a shame Bill. This is exactly the kind of store that will be sorely missed because it just sounds so handy for all those little things one runs out of and can't be bothered to go into town for. I guess Bridget had to retire sometime ☺

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  23. Thanks for making this posting.
    Interesting to read and see the photographs.

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  24. Sad to experience the end of an era. especially when you are friendly with the proprietor.

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  25. Another little bit of history bites the dust. It makes me sad when things like this happen.

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