Shop

The Shop


The Storefront

As was typical at the time The shop was on the ground floor at the front This was the source of income for the family . The family lived over the shop. The counter was the full length of the room and the shop keeper had a small door to access the kitchen behind the counter. Only the shop keeper or trades man would use this door.This door is very narrow and very low most people would have to stoop to go through it.This shop was owned by Tailor Timothy dillane from 1843 to 1874. He would have made customised suits and other garments to fit after measuring for each client individually.Thomas Stack and his wife Hanora O Donoghue ran a general shop from 1874 to 1905.

The shop was occupied by Jack Kiely Shoemaker from 1905 to 1914 Shoemakers were popular back then most shoes were hand made. In fact most people wore leather boots. Jack Kiely was a son of a shoemaker and The Kielys had a long tradition of shoemakers in the family . Jack's Father Michael had a shoeshop in Ballybunion. Jack was born in the townland of Dromin on the listowel side of Ballybunion.


	Elizabeth Stack born and reared at 53 church st Listowel

When the Prendeville family Lived here from 1921 to 1935 They used the front shop as a play area for the children and the other children of the area. Kathleen Scully (a life long resident of church st Born and reared over the Harp and Lion Bar) remembers the shop and the open space as a playground for the local children Keanes, Prendevilles, Sheehys and many more.

Guard Ruane and his wife and two girls also used shop as a play area They lived in this house for approx five year s after the Prendevilles.

Michael Kiley brother of deceased Jack Kiely opened a Shoe shop here again briefly in the early 1940s. It was at this Time that Paddy Whelan the local plastermason installed the ornamental celtic motifs and cornices at the shop front. Paddy Whelan was married to Michael Kiely's sister Anne (sis). Kiely Paddy installed one of his many pieces of celtic art for his own Brother in Law Michael.

Michael was not long here when the shop was once again changed. Richard (Dick) Kiely and his wife Marie Shannahan got married and reisded here in 1942. The shop was reduced in size by a Partition that now made a Hallway and a smaller front room. The front room was used as a sort of dining area for tea and sandwiches during race week and this was the last time that the front room was used commercially.