If Walls Could Talk: Christmas meant Cannock’s in Limerick

Dr Paul O'Brien takes a festive trip down memory lane to revisit the city department store where generations of Limerick families shopped

FOR OVER 130 years locals and visitors shopped at Cannock’s of 134 O’Connell Street. Christmas at Cannock’s was a highlight, and its large plate glass windows were packed with toys, gadgets, books, fashions, and furniture.

The window display, festooned with lights, glistened at night, and sparkled during the day, the traditional decorations and giant Christmas trees were trimmed with ornaments made from wax in the shape of angels. Looking down over the street was the iconic clocktower, a familiar meeting place and local landmark.

Cannock’s traces its origin to the 1840s when Cumine, Mitchell & Co. enjoyed a successful trade at 134 George Street (now O'Connell Street).

Their drapery store supplied wholesale and retail wool; products ranged from silk scarves to muslin. However, it was not all about profit, and Cumine, Mitchell & Co., supported local charitable causes, donating money and supplies to the Limerick relief committee during the Famine, including a grant of flannel and calico in 1848.

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In November 1850, Cumine and Mitchell’s enterprise was purchased by George Cannock and John Arnott. The Limerick Chronicle described the store as ‘extensive and profitable’ and noted that Mr Arnott hailed from Glasgow.

For a time, Cumine, Mitchell & Co., continued to trade under its original name. Cannock and Arnott were experienced businessmen who already had a large drapery store in Henry Street, Dublin.

In 1858, John Arnott sold his interest in the business to Scotsman, Peter Tait who had arrived in Limerick in 1844. Tait set about expanding Cannock’s and spent £9,000 rebuilding the store which was to become synonymous with the retail life of the city for many generations.

When Tait experienced financial difficulty he sold his property, including Cannock’s to Michael J. Clery (of the famous Dublin Department Store: Clery's and Company) and James Moriarty Tidmarsh.

Over the decades, Christmas at Cannock’s was a wonderous affair and the store always offered the most up-to-date and fashionable gifts across its many departments. In 1853, shoppers could purchase ‘ladies and gentlemen’s dressing cases, writing desks, work boxes, and fancy jewellery or Irish bog oak ornaments.’ Options for the children included ‘French and German toys and a large assortment of Dutch wax and rag dolls’ all at the keenest of prices. By 1858, a ‘splendid array of ballroom costumes’ was on offer.

The latest styles and fashions fresh from London and Paris included ‘striped and brocaded robes, tartan dresses, head dresses, hair wreaths, feathers, and a large variety of flowers.’

In keeping with their commitment to support local charities, the store reminded customers that ‘a liberal discount will be allowed on all goods bought for charitable purposes.’ In-house entertainment was also provided during the festive period and in 1866, the public were encouraged to experience the delights of Monsieur Julien’s Wonderful Mechanical Band, the magic lanterns and demonstrations of games and amusements.

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For the children, the store had a large selection of amusing and instructive games ‘arranged and on display for the inspection of customers and their juvenile friends.’ Cannock’s also had a tailoring department constantly supplied by a ‘London Fashion house with the latest styles, trimming and materials.’

By the close of the nineteenth century, the store had an extensive selection of furniture for sale. Items included ‘high class drawing room carpets, Axminister carpets, and noiseless linoleum.’

At Christmas 1936, the store notified customers that ‘charming new styles in ladies’ millinery’ were now available and to ‘see our special window display’ for all the latest bargains in fashion and home supplies. It is clear from photographs of Cannock’s that many hours must have whiled away by window shoppers as they gazed upon the products for sale.

Christmas at Cannock’s in the 1950s featured a large toy display and ideas for parcels to send abroad, perhaps reflecting the high emigration that characterised the period. By the time the 1970s arrived, Cannock’s declared that ‘high fashion had come to town, and the latest trends from New York, London and Paris’ were available instore.

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Sadly, in 1980, it was decided that Cannock's was to cease trading, and the O'Connell Street premises was sold to Penneys, thus ended the long-cherished tradition of groups of children and adults huddled in front of fantastical Christmas displays where magic leaped from seasonal novelties and wishes, dreams and promises were made.

Gone too are the smudge marks left by small children pointing to the Christmas toy of their dreams. Cannock’s may have ceased trading, but shopping in Limerick is still full of magic at this time of year.

Dr Paul O’Brien lectures in Mary Immaculate College