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. READ ALSO: Knife in the heart of Limerick town as last butcher shop closes doors 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
PICTURES: Sad exclusive as Limerick village's newsagents closes after 85 years in business
