PICTURES: Sad exclusive as Limerick village's newsagents closes after 85 years in business

IN 1940, the Battle of Britain raged over the skies of southern England, Nazi Germany invaded France and Irish people were living with strict rationing and shortages of items during “The Emergency”.

It was against the backdrop of these tumultuous times that Agnes Raincín (née McMahon) opened a newsagents across from the village hall in Adare. Eighty five years later it stayed in the family, continued on by her daughter Patsy and grandson John Kelly.

Now, the door of Raincín’s has been closed for the final time by John as he embarks on a new career.

“I think Agnes would be proud if she knew it lasted this long,” said John.

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The name Raincín was in honour of her late husband Joseph. The Kildare man was a garda based in Dromcollogher and Croom. He and Agnes had got married and moved to Wexford after Joseph was transferred there.

“She gave birth to my mother (Patsy) in 1935. Joseph then died suddenly three months later when my mother was only three-months-old. Agnes was left up in Wexford with no family. There was no pension or anything back in those days so my cousin's grandfather (PJ Hogan) went up and brought her back down to Adare and helped her set up the shop,” said John.

As soon as his mum Patsy was tall enough to reach the till she helped out in the grocers and then worked there full-time after school. John did the exact same and has worked in Raincín’s for the last 36 years. John and sisters Oonagh and Trish were bred into it as their dad Vincent Kelly had a bakery which later became a shop in Rathkeale until 1991.

John has expanded the offering over the years but at its heart was still a pint of milk, loaf of bread and newspapers. 

“I renovated it just at the beginning of Covid and got in a coffee machine. We kind of concentrated on Irish artisan food and drink and I got a small collection of toys,” said John, who is married to Edwina.

His mum and dad have both gone to their God - Patsy in 2004 and Vincent two years ago, just shy of his 90th birthday.

After 36 years in Raincín’s, John said he had been mulling over closing the doors.

“It had been in my head. I was working almost 70 hours a week - it’s seven days a week,” said John, who cited the changes in towns and villages over the decades. 

“It’s the way things have gone - when we were younger, these small shops were the hearts of a community - nowadays they're kind of becoming fewer and fewer. Small shops were in every small town and village but you hardly see them anywhere. It's a huge commitment and it's hard to make money for the hours you're putting in. You can't compete with the supermarkets at the end of the day,” said John.

He had applied for a new job and was successful so it was time to make the “sad decision” to close Raincín’s.

“I’ll be working nearly half the hours,” smiles John, who won’t be selling the building. 

“It would be a lot worse if I was forced to close. It would be a lot sadder. I'm doing it on my own terms,” said John.

Crowds of people showed up on their last day to thank John and buy their last Sunday paper in Raincín Newsagents. Some would have been going there since they were children buying candy bars and penny sweets.

“Once second Mass was over, there was a steady crowd coming all day. I planned on closing at 3pm but it was 6.30pm by the time I closed the door. It was a great occasion and great atmosphere with friends and customers calling. It was a beautiful day so we could sit outside with cups of coffee and cake and share nice memories.

“I would like to thank all my loyal customers over the years - they're the core of the business. God, I got an incredible amount of cards and well wishes,” said John.

He and his sisters are immensely proud of their brave grandmother who started the business and their parents who continued it on.

“I think Agnes would be proud if she knew it would last this long,” he concluded.