Town mourns passing of businessman Willie Rath
Businessman Willie Rath
THE community of Carlow town and beyond is in mourning after the sudden and unexpected death of well-known and much-loved businessman Willie Rath.
Willie passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at his home in Kilmeaney, Tinryland on Wednesday 10 December, having spent the day in work as usual. After he collapsed, emergency services were called to the house, where they worked trying to save him, but sadly it was too late and he passed away at the age of 69 years.
His wife Bridget, children James, Ann-Marie and David, daughter-in-law Jenny, grandchildren Abbie, Emma, Julia and Will were in shock at the loss of such a huge and important person in their lives. When word got around Carlow town and beyond, there was a sense of disbelief in the community, such was Willie’s vivacity and passion for life.
He was the owner of Rath’s Londis Plus store on Pollerton Road, Carlow and Rath’s Londis in Castledermot, as well as Teach Dolmain pub on Tullow Street, Carlow.
Willie was well-known through his businesses, but he was also well loved and respected because of his love of life and huge personality.
“He was in such good health. To be honest, we thought that we’d have another 15 or 20 years with him. He was so young at heart. He was full of life and mischief, always messing,” his devastated daughter Ann-Marie told .
Willie came from humble beginnings and was raised on a farm in Monaseed near Gorey, Co Wexford. He had ambitions to become a journalist, such was his interest in current affairs and world news, but ultimately he wanted to be his own boss.
He met his wife Bridget at a dance in Courtown and married her in the late 1970s. Side-by-side, they built up a large and successful business, beginning with a tiny shop on Pollerton Road, Carlow, which they bought in 1984. They grew that business over the years with the Londis brand, renowned for its delicatessen, bakery and grocery, which has won countless awards over the years.
In 1995, the Rath family broke into the pub trade when Willie bought what is now Teach Dolmain on Tullow Street, Carlow, while in 2015 they expanded their business portfolio to include another grocery shop in Castledermot.
Since his first foray into the world of retail and hospitality, Willie has become a central figure in Carlow business circles.
Nicola Doran, CEO of Carlow Chamber of Commerce, paid her respects: “On behalf of the board, staff and members of Co Carlow Chamber of Commerce, I would like to express our shock and sadness on the sudden passing of Willie Rath. Willie was an exceptional business person â dedicated, driven and committed to providing the best quality to his customers.
“His business acumen was exceptional â spotting new ways to innovate and evolve all the time.
“He was well known and much respected in the wider business community. We would like to take this opportunity to pass our sincere condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. His presence will be missed by all who have known him.”
All three of his children are involved in the business, and they are a close-knit family. Ann-Marie explained that it was her parents’ work ethic that drove them, with Willie enjoying any challenge that would improve their business.
“He had a real passion for a challenge. It wasn’t the money that drove him; he was always looking to improve things. He was 100% driven and had a great work ethic.
“Everything he and my mother had, they worked for. They came from very humble beginnings. They had very little growing up,” said Ann-Marie.
Willie, although he loved Carlow, was still a Wexford man at heart and was a loyal supporter of the county in sport, especially football.
“He went all over the country, supporting club and county football. In 1996, Wexford hurlers won the all-Ireland. He always said that he wanted to see them win again. He loved Wexford and loved the sea. If Carlow had been by the coast, it would have been the perfect county for him.
“He was always very respectful of our customers; there are generations of them coming into the shop and the pub. We’ve been very lucky with our staff, some of whom are with us for up to 30 years. Over the past few days, we were very humbled by the things people were saying to us,” continued Ann-Marie.
She continued: “People have talked about what great craic he was. He was always messing and joking, always having a laugh. He was the life and soul of any party. He was a great character.”
Requiem Mass was celebrated this morning (Tuesday) at 11am in the Holy Family Church, Askea and Willie was laid to rest in Monaseed cemetery, Co Wexford.
Rath’s Londis shops and Teach Dolmain pub were closed as a mark of respect.
Willie is survived by his wife Bridget, children James, Ann-Marie and David, grandchildren Abbie, Emma, Julia and Will, daughter-in-law Jenny, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
