Community saddened at closure of another Tipperary business

Closure of Fitzpatrick's Butchers

The 1992 Moycarkey-Borris Newsletter tells us that in December 1990, Paudie Fitzpatrick who already operated a butchering business in Croke St. Thurles has opened a butchering business in Littleton. He has purchased Liam Callahan's premises on Main St. Littleton. We wish him every luck in his new venture.

Parish clergy at the time were the Rev. Richard Ryan, Rev Tom Hogan and the Rev Richard Kelly.

Paudie's father Christy worked with his brothers Paddy  and Sean who ran butcher shops at Mitchell St and at Croke St Thurles. Their mother had purchased a table/cutting block from Holland and Paudie's son Shane recently made an award winning maple-wood block as part of his Leaving Certificate carpentry project.

Paudie has been closely supported in his work by his wife Karen and daughters Kayley  and Tara. There is a definite sadness  at the loss of another local business amongst villagers, parishioners and customers from surrounding areas.

The huge number that came to make their final purchases on Friday, January 13, last and thank them for their many years of quality and friendly service was a sign of the huge estimation in which they are held by  one and all. While tea, coffee and a parting glass were served to all, many memories of village life were remembered. The local shop is where you are called by name and kept in touch with neighbours and the wider community.

Thanks to local historian Ger Moloughney we recall other closures that indicate changing economic cycles and new patterns of social life.

In 1970 the Old Barracks closed; Tierney's Shop 1981; Sheila Maher's shop 1989; followed by McCarthy's 1995;Fogarty's 2002,  Liam Fox, Vincent O Brien, John Healy lawnmowers and Remar Furniture in 2019; Cllr Harry Ryan, RIP, 2006; Benny Quinn's purchased by John Darmody in 2007, the Old Creamery 2008 ,Purcell's Shop 2008, Kearney's Lawnmowers and Boats 2011,The Turf Club 2013, Moloughney's Shop 2015, the Post Office 2019, John and Kay Ryan, restaurant in 2020.

The new  Co-op Stores  came in 1996, the new church  in 1977, the new Barracks in 1986, the new motorway in 2008, the new Community Centre 2014. Currently a new Olympian standard running track is under completion by Coolcroo Athletic Club alongside  the Community Centre.

As new patterns and challenges emerge we renew our thanks to Paudie and Karen and treasure the more positive memories.

Pride of place in their shop has been a photograph of Barack Obamas, All the Presidents Men, which recalls their prize winning entry in the 2011 St Patrick's Day Parade. 

Across the road from the shop is the Bog Oak sculpture and garden that with help from John Darmody, Thomas Ryan and Dan Fitzpatrick, Paudie donated to Littleton village in 2018.

Similar to our Newsletter friends in 1990 we wish Paudie and Karen and family the best of luck with many years of health and happiness in whatever new venture they may take on.

Contributed to News of the County in the Tipperary Star.