IT WAS truly the end of an era when Jim and Dora Fennell closed over the front door of their shop, the Killeshin Stores, for the last time after serving the villagers for more than 30 years.
The couple first opened their shop in 1994 and over their 32 years of service, they came to play a vital part in village life.
As a way of saying thank you to the Fennells for their huge contribution, the committee from the Killeshin Community Centre hosted a retirement lunch for them in The Seven Oaks Hotel, immediately after they closed up shop on Sunday 18 October.
Jim and Dora arrive in style for their retirement lunch in the Seven Oaks HotelJim and Dora with staff who worked with them throughout the years; Karen Kelly, Sharon O'Gorman, Amy Lawlor, Clare Burke, Aisling Whelan, Niamh O'Reilly, Rachel McDonald and Katelyn O'ReillyJim and Dora with members of the Killeshin Community Centre committee: Imelda Whelan, Fr John Dunphy, Breda McDonald, Laurence Phelan and Helen Dunne
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Jim and Dora were joined by the committee members of the community centre as well as past and present employees of the shop so there was much reminiscing for the 20 people in attendance. The duo were highly valued by the people of Killeshin, acting more like agony aunts than shopkeepers. Locals said they were always there to listen and share a story or a sympathetic ear. The couple were entrusted with the keys for the church and community centre, sold the annual calendar for Killeshin National School and often looked after children waiting to be collected from school.Jim said one of the highlights of his week was when pupils from Saplings School would call in on a Friday to see him.
“I think the kids will miss it the most,” said Laurence Phelan, chairperson of the community centre who organised the event. “Where else can they get jelly snakes?”
Laurence said the shop’s closure was indicative of the way things are going and that corner shops may be a thing of the past.
The lunch is one of the many send-off events for Jim and Dora as the local GAA club will also host an event for the couple in the next few weeks.Dora thanked their neighbours and friends for all their well wishes, flowers, messages and visits.
“They have the community behind them,” said Laurence. The community centre gifted the couple with a stay at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, as they are avid music fans. After the lunch, they retired to the Glenside Lounge in Killeshin with friends and colleagues to continue the celebrations.
