End of an era in Templemore as Hassett’s Garage is demolished

Work has been ongoing in town over the past many months on diverting the Mall River in Templemore.
Much of the background work has now been completed and during this week we will see the demolition of Hassett’s Garage in Richmond to facilitate the re-routing of the river across the main road and through to Talavera to meet up with the works already carried out on that side.
The works when finished will mean an end to flooding in Templemore and is eagerly awaited.
Dermot Hassett, a Wexford man came to Templemore in 1950's and began his business in what up to then was Kavanagh’s Bicycle Shop.
Hassett’s Motors became a popular stop off point for petrol and cars having secured the Austin/Morris dealership. Dermot Hassett ran a thriving business in Richmond, eventually taking on the Rover dealership. He continued in the trade until his retirement in 1986.
His son Derek had joined him at this stage and he took over the day to day running of the business until he decided to ‘call it a day’ in 2016.
Another landmark gone.