End of an era! Goodbye to the quintessential local community shop
Nestled in the very heart of south Armagh – in the quiet hamlet of Glassdrummond – is a small community shop serving a few hundred residents on a weekly basis.
Murphy’s Shop is unassuming in appearance, but for 49 years has been the heartbeat of that very community. It's quintessentially a throwback to a different time.
It sits across the road from the cemetery and a few hundred yards in one direction is the St Brigid's primary school; the church lies a few hundred yards in the opposite direction.
Sadly, it won't see 50 years, as its owners Kevin and Eileen Murphy have decided it's the right time to close, in order to spend more time with family and friends. It's a welcome retirement for them; one greeted with the respect they have earned over the years.
The shop will close its doors for the final time on Sunday, April 28.
It's a reminder of the changing tide for shops like these are few and far between nowadays.
"We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our loyal customers for your support and business over the years," they wrote on social media earlier this week.
"A word of thanks also to our own family and Nan Hearty for your countless years supporting and helping out behind the counter.
"To all those that have worked with us - Margaret Reel, Bernadette Rowland, Christina Burns, Mary McCann, Anne McGeeney (RIP), Mary Quinn, Sheila Reel, Valerie Rowland, Theresa Mc Namee (Hearty), Mary Kelly (Hearty), Orla and Louise Hearty - and anyone who helped out in any way, our sincere thanks to you.
"On Sunday 28th April, following mass until 12 noon, when we close our doors, we welcome all our past workers, customers, friends and family for a mug of tea to remember the many good times we have had over the years."
That is a fitting send off!
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Henry built plenty of these in his factory..
Where in Co Armagh are we talking about?
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