Caheragh loses the heart of the community as last shop closes

Marie Wolverson and Deirdre Bohane are very sad to say goodbye to Walsh’s Foodstore in the village of Caheragh, one of the last remaining traditional stores in West Cork.

BY JACKIE KEOGH

CAHERAGH, a community that has one of the biggest townlands in West Cork, is about to lose its only postal agency, shop and bakery.

Walsh’s Foodstore, which was purchased by Fernando and Glenys Molina-Walsh 12 years ago has closed

The three part-time staff and two young part-time workers have described the closure as ‘devastating’ because the village will now be without a shop selling the everyday basics.

Marie Wolverson, who lives locally, and has worked in the business for the last seven years, told The Southern Star: ‘It is going to be a great loss to the area, particularly the elderly who collect their pensions here.

‘People will now have to go to Drimoleague, Bantry or Skibbereen for their morning papers – that will be the closet shop for anyone looking to buy a carton of milk, bread, or stamps.’

The roadside property has been on the market for a number of years, but even without a buyer it was decided to close the business from this Saturday.

Marie explained that the grocery side of the business had been declining for years because more and more people are doing a ‘big shop’ in supermarkets and discount stores.

The in-store bakery had enjoyed considerable success, and had even supplied bread and confectionery to Drinagh grocery, Apple Betty’s café in Skibbereen and, for a time, the English Market in Cork.

Providing a popular in-store bakery and a well-stocked deli counter meant an early start for the staff, but accessibility was all part of the service they provided.

When the only other shop in the village, Kirby’s, closed two years ago, they decided to move to a seven-day opening so people could buy their daily and Sunday newspapers in Walsh’s.

Kathleen Kirby told The Southern Star the former shop premises would be turned into a restaurant and wine bar to compliment the existing bar business at Kirby’s Traveller’s Rest pub.

Kathleen also confirmed that the revamped petrol station is fully automated, in that it is operated by a 24/7 credit card service.

Walsh’s Foodstore carried everything from Mass cards to mouse traps. ‘You name it, we had it,’ said Marie. ‘And if we hadn’t got it, we would get it for you.’

The owner made a conscious decision to keep the shop in the old style. Tourists thought it was quaint and locals felt it was the heart of their community.

One of the employees, Deirdre Bohane, said the closure is ‘devastating, especially for the older folks. For them it was a meeting place. They came here to get the papers, meet their friends and have a chat.

‘Walsh’s was an extension of the old creameries of long ago. It was more of a convenience store. They wanted to support it but it is hard to compete with the likes of Lidl and Aldi. People are voting with their pocket and it is hard to blame them.’

Marie Wolverson and Deirdre Bohane are very sad to say goodbye to Walsh’s Foodstore in the village of Caheragh, one of the last remaining traditional stores in West Cork.

BY JACKIE KEOGH

CAHERAGH, a community that has one of the biggest townlands in West Cork, is about to lose its only postal agency, shop and bakery.

Walsh’s Foodstore, which was purchased by Fernando and Glenys Molina-Walsh 12 years ago has closed

The three part-time staff and two young part-time workers have described the closure as ‘devastating’ because the village will now be without a shop selling the everyday basics.

Marie Wolverson, who lives locally, and has worked in the business for the last seven years, told The Southern Star: ‘It is going to be a great loss to the area, particularly the elderly who collect their pensions here.

‘People will now have to go to Drimoleague, Bantry or Skibbereen for their morning papers – that will be the closet shop for anyone looking to buy a carton of milk, bread, or stamps.’

The roadside property has been on the market for a number of years, but even without a buyer it was decided to close the business from this Saturday.

Marie explained that the grocery side of the business had been declining for years because more and more people are doing a ‘big shop’ in supermarkets and discount stores.

The in-store bakery had enjoyed considerable success, and had even supplied bread and confectionery to Drinagh grocery, Apple Betty’s café in Skibbereen and, for a time, the English Market in Cork.

Providing a popular in-store bakery and a well-stocked deli counter meant an early start for the staff, but accessibility was all part of the service they provided.

When the only other shop in the village, Kirby’s, closed two years ago, they decided to move to a seven-day opening so people could buy their daily and Sunday newspapers in Walsh’s.

Kathleen Kirby told The Southern Star the former shop premises would be turned into a restaurant and wine bar to compliment the existing bar business at Kirby’s Traveller’s Rest pub.

Kathleen also confirmed that the revamped petrol station is fully automated, in that it is operated by a 24/7 credit card service.

Walsh’s Foodstore carried everything from Mass cards to mouse traps. ‘You name it, we had it,’ said Marie. ‘And if we hadn’t got it, we would get it for you.’

The owner made a conscious decision to keep the shop in the old style. Tourists thought it was quaint and locals felt it was the heart of their community.

One of the employees, Deirdre Bohane, said the closure is ‘devastating, especially for the older folks. For them it was a meeting place. They came here to get the papers, meet their friends and have a chat.

‘Walsh’s was an extension of the old creameries of long ago. It was more of a convenience store. They wanted to support it but it is hard to compete with the likes of Lidl and Aldi. People are voting with their pocket and it is hard to blame them.’

Marie Wolverson and Deirdre Bohane are very sad to say goodbye to Walsh’s Foodstore in the village of Caheragh, one of the last remaining traditional stores in West Cork.

BY JACKIE KEOGH

CAHERAGH, a community that has one of the biggest townlands in West Cork, is about to lose its only postal agency, shop and bakery.

Walsh’s Foodstore, which was purchased by Fernando and Glenys Molina-Walsh 12 years ago has closed

The three part-time staff and two young part-time workers have described the closure as ‘devastating’ because the village will now be without a shop selling the everyday basics.

Marie Wolverson, who lives locally, and has worked in the business for the last seven years, told The Southern Star: ‘It is going to be a great loss to the area, particularly the elderly who collect their pensions here.

‘People will now have to go to Drimoleague, Bantry or Skibbereen for their morning papers – that will be the closet shop for anyone looking to buy a carton of milk, bread, or stamps.’

The roadside property has been on the market for a number of years, but even without a buyer it was decided to close the business from this Saturday.

Marie explained that the grocery side of the business had been declining for years because more and more people are doing a ‘big shop’ in supermarkets and discount stores.

The in-store bakery had enjoyed considerable success, and had even supplied bread and confectionery to Drinagh grocery, Apple Betty’s café in Skibbereen and, for a time, the English Market in Cork.

Providing a popular in-store bakery and a well-stocked deli counter meant an early start for the staff, but accessibility was all part of the service they provided.

When the only other shop in the village, Kirby’s, closed two years ago, they decided to move to a seven-day opening so people could buy their daily and Sunday newspapers in Walsh’s.

Kathleen Kirby told The Southern Star the former shop premises would be turned into a restaurant and wine bar to compliment the existing bar business at Kirby’s Traveller’s Rest pub.

Kathleen also confirmed that the revamped petrol station is fully automated, in that it is operated by a 24/7 credit card service.

Walsh’s Foodstore carried everything from Mass cards to mouse traps. ‘You name it, we had it,’ said Marie. ‘And if we hadn’t got it, we would get it for you.’

The owner made a conscious decision to keep the shop in the old style. Tourists thought it was quaint and locals felt it was the heart of their community.

One of the employees, Deirdre Bohane, said the closure is ‘devastating, especially for the older folks. For them it was a meeting place. They came here to get the papers, meet their friends and have a chat.

‘Walsh’s was an extension of the old creameries of long ago. It was more of a convenience store. They wanted to support it but it is hard to compete with the likes of Lidl and Aldi. People are voting with their pocket and it is hard to blame them.’

Marie Wolverson and Deirdre Bohane are very sad to say goodbye to Walsh’s Foodstore in the village of Caheragh, one of the last remaining traditional stores in West Cork.

BY JACKIE KEOGH

CAHERAGH, a community that has one of the biggest townlands in West Cork, is about to lose its only postal agency, shop and bakery.

Walsh’s Foodstore, which was purchased by Fernando and Glenys Molina-Walsh 12 years ago has closed

The three part-time staff and two young part-time workers have described the closure as ‘devastating’ because the village will now be without a shop selling the everyday basics.

Marie Wolverson, who lives locally, and has worked in the business for the last seven years, told The Southern Star: ‘It is going to be a great loss to the area, particularly the elderly who collect their pensions here.

‘People will now have to go to Drimoleague, Bantry or Skibbereen for their morning papers – that will be the closet shop for anyone looking to buy a carton of milk, bread, or stamps.’

The roadside property has been on the market for a number of years, but even without a buyer it was decided to close the business from this Saturday.

Marie explained that the grocery side of the business had been declining for years because more and more people are doing a ‘big shop’ in supermarkets and discount stores.

The in-store bakery had enjoyed considerable success, and had even supplied bread and confectionery to Drinagh grocery, Apple Betty’s café in Skibbereen and, for a time, the English Market in Cork.

Providing a popular in-store bakery and a well-stocked deli counter meant an early start for the staff, but accessibility was all part of the service they provided.

When the only other shop in the village, Kirby’s, closed two years ago, they decided to move to a seven-day opening so people could buy their daily and Sunday newspapers in Walsh’s.

Kathleen Kirby told The Southern Star the former shop premises would be turned into a restaurant and wine bar to compliment the existing bar business at Kirby’s Traveller’s Rest pub.

Kathleen also confirmed that the revamped petrol station is fully automated, in that it is operated by a 24/7 credit card service.

Walsh’s Foodstore carried everything from Mass cards to mouse traps. ‘You name it, we had it,’ said Marie. ‘And if we hadn’t got it, we would get it for you.’

The owner made a conscious decision to keep the shop in the old style. Tourists thought it was quaint and locals felt it was the heart of their community.

One of the employees, Deirdre Bohane, said the closure is ‘devastating, especially for the older folks. For them it was a meeting place. They came here to get the papers, meet their friends and have a chat.

‘Walsh’s was an extension of the old creameries of long ago. It was more of a convenience store. They wanted to support it but it is hard to compete with the likes of Lidl and Aldi. People are voting with their pocket and it is hard to blame them.’

Marie Wolverson and Deirdre Bohane are very sad to say goodbye to Walsh’s Foodstore in the village of Caheragh, one of the last remaining traditional stores in West Cork.

BY JACKIE KEOGH

CAHERAGH, a community that has one of the biggest townlands in West Cork, is about to lose its only postal agency, shop and bakery.

Walsh’s Foodstore, which was purchased by Fernando and Glenys Molina-Walsh 12 years ago has closed

The three part-time staff and two young part-time workers have described the closure as ‘devastating’ because the village will now be without a shop selling the everyday basics.

Marie Wolverson, who lives locally, and has worked in the business for the last seven years, told The Southern Star: ‘It is going to be a great loss to the area, particularly the elderly who collect their pensions here.

‘People will now have to go to Drimoleague, Bantry or Skibbereen for their morning papers – that will be the closet shop for anyone looking to buy a carton of milk, bread, or stamps.’

The roadside property has been on the market for a number of years, but even without a buyer it was decided to close the business from this Saturday.

Marie explained that the grocery side of the business had been declining for years because more and more people are doing a ‘big shop’ in supermarkets and discount stores.

The in-store bakery had enjoyed considerable success, and had even supplied bread and confectionery to Drinagh grocery, Apple Betty’s café in Skibbereen and, for a time, the English Market in Cork.

Providing a popular in-store bakery and a well-stocked deli counter meant an early start for the staff, but accessibility was all part of the service they provided.

When the only other shop in the village, Kirby’s, closed two years ago, they decided to move to a seven-day opening so people could buy their daily and Sunday newspapers in Walsh’s.

Kathleen Kirby told The Southern Star the former shop premises would be turned into a restaurant and wine bar to compliment the existing bar business at Kirby’s Traveller’s Rest pub.

Kathleen also confirmed that the revamped petrol station is fully automated, in that it is operated by a 24/7 credit card service.

Walsh’s Foodstore carried everything from Mass cards to mouse traps. ‘You name it, we had it,’ said Marie. ‘And if we hadn’t got it, we would get it for you.’

The owner made a conscious decision to keep the shop in the old style. Tourists thought it was quaint and locals felt it was the heart of their community.

One of the employees, Deirdre Bohane, said the closure is ‘devastating, especially for the older folks. For them it was a meeting place. They came here to get the papers, meet their friends and have a chat.

‘Walsh’s was an extension of the old creameries of long ago. It was more of a convenience store. They wanted to support it but it is hard to compete with the likes of Lidl and Aldi. People are voting with their pocket and it is hard to blame them.’