18. Kenny's Shop, Gilkagh.

Kenny’s Shop, Gilkagh.

Norah Gavin from Cloonmweelaun, the daughter of Thomas and Sarah (nee O’Brien) formerly of Ballinvoher, Turloughmore, opened this shop in Guilka in a premises rented initially from the Dempsey family. In 1937 Norah married Michael Kenny, who was the son of Edward and Bridget (nee Dolan) from Ballinrooaun, and together they ran this small local shop which was huge attraction for the young children of the area and in particular their weekly visit there after Sunday Mass in Skehana. Loose sweets, Geary’s penny biscuits and wafer ice cream cut to your preference with vanilla, neopolitan, banana and ripple flavours.

Following Norah’s death Michael, or Mick as he was better known, continued with the business until his own health declined. After a period of closure the shop was reopened by Gabriel Dunne from Skehana and again many of the old trading features were re-established and upgraded to included a pool table and catered for nightly games of ‘25’. The shop was aptly renamed ‘Dunnes Hillside Shop’.