In what is surely an end of an era for retail and business generally in the town, one of Drogheda’s oldest family businesses, Kierans Brothers Delicatessen, has decided to close its doors in the coming weeks.
After more than ten decades, spanning three generations, the extended Kierans family have decided now is the right time to retire from the retail scene.
Current proprietor Niall Kierans said that the discussion on closure of what is one of the longest established family businesses, right in the heart of Drogheda, has been ongoing for some time.
The business was established in 1918 by Niall’s grandfather Owen who was also an Alderman in Drogheda Corporation. The Kierans brothers Owen, Tommy, Peter, Patrick and Michael originally traded from what is now the Maher’s Pharmacy premises before they moved across the road to their current premises in 1944.
With no fourth generation following in their footsteps however, and accepting the changed retail environment in the town, the Kierans family have now decided to call it a day.
Staff and Suppliers were informed of the decision two weeks ago on Monday 7th February. It is a testament to the quality of the business that of the 12 staff employed in the shop the shortest serving member of staff has been there for 14 years while some of the longest serving have been there almost 40 years.
One of the longer serving staff members, Deborah Donnelly, told Drogheda Life that her parents, Rose and Jimmy Maguire had both worked in Kierans’s Deli where love blossomed and they went on to get married and subsequently raised five children.
In a statement issued over the weekend Company Directors, Niall and Mark Kierans said:
“It is not without some sadness that our family have taken the difficult decision to discontinue our business that has traded on Drogheda’s main street since 1918.
“Our families are deeply appreciative of the custom given to us by the people of Drogheda and indeed much further afield, who have supported us over the many years. We recognise that many of our customers will see our passing as creating a void for them for which we genuinely regret.
Pictured in the Kierans Deli premises in West Street today are (from left): Sandra Lambe, Joanne Taylor, Suzanne and Niall Kierans, Stephen O’Hagan, Elaine Stafford and Deborah Donnelly. Photo: Andy Spearman.
“In particular, and most importantly, we recognise and greatly appreciate the dedication, support and loyal service given to us by our wonderful staff, many of whom have worked with us for up on three decades’ was the comment of
‘We would not have had the success we enjoyed over these many years but for such a contribution from our crew and for the patronage of our customers. We wish our staff, our customers and our suppliers all the best going into the future.”
Asked about the future, both for himself and the premises, Niall Kierans said that the shop was being taken over by new owners who he declined to name but said that they are “well known locally.”
As for himself, Niall said he had lots of things that he has been meaning to do for years but has never gotten round to. Don’t be too surprised though if you see the name Niall Kierans cropping up in some other business context.
The Bare Food Company Café which operates from the rear of the Kierans premises will continue to trade but with a new landlord.
