A treasure chest to be found in Cronin's Ballyjamesduff

Cronin’s Newsagents on the Market Square in Ballyjamesduff has become a much-loved institution in the town. It’s an Aladdin’s Cave with a treasure chest of gifts, toys, groceries, sweets and treats, and even DIY bits and pieces.

Fintan Cronin has been behind the counter there for the last 50 years and as he says himself, “I’ve loved every minute of it!”

Born and reared in Longford town, Fintan worked as a commercial travelling salesman in the west of Ireland upon leaving school. In 1968, he married Phylis O’Reilly whose parents ran a drapery and newsagents where Cronins proudly stands today.

On entering the business, Fintan got Tom McGuirk, the local builder, on board and together the pair transformed the drapery. Ten or so years later, when busi ness started to decline on the drapery side, Fintan and Phylis moved the newsagents part of the business into the area occupied by the drapery and downsized the drapery department into the area where the shop had been.

“And, for about eight years that was the way we operated,” revealed Fintan.

In 1998, following changes in the fashion industry, the couple decided to close the drapery and focus on the newsagents, where turnover was increasing. Then, the Cronins had a family of eight.

“I concentrated on that; then the National Lottery came,” he continued.

Initially refused a lottery licence, the determined Fintan and Phylis make the trip to National Lottery HQ in Dublin to demand answers and make a pitch in person.

“A week later, the Lottery man arrived and I got my tickets,” revealed Fintan proudly.

It was a bold move on Fintan’s part but it paid off and business was booming. “It was the best decision I ever made,” he added.

“There were hard times here too and the bank manager called me in a few times over the years. But we weathered the storms as they say. I changed the way I did things too over the years and the business adapted to people’s needs as the years went by and that is very important.”

Sadly Phylis is no longer with him. “Phylis died six-years ago and I miss her every single day.”

But, what for the future? “I’m 83 years now, my six children are all reared and have their own jobs. Three are in Ireland and three live overseas. I know all my customers and have great chats with them. My customers are very loyal to be honest. But then I do think to myself, what will I do? I’m lively and the mind is still ticking over nicely.”

Cronin’s provide a wide range of goods to people in the community: “The only thing I don’t have in the shop is parfin oil. I have most things but not that and a woman came into the shop the other day and asked me if I had any.”

There’s an abundance of Christmas stock at Cronin’s that includes toys, candles, lights, stocking fillers, and delicious biscuits and sweets. “There’s keen prices here, it’s a fabulous shop and I’ve loved every minute working there,” said Fintan.