*John O’Dea.
THREE PROMINENT Ennis business people have died this week, ending respective eras across different industries.
Anne Leyden, Pat MacCarthy and John O’Dea all died within the past week and were prominent business figures within the town of Ennis, all situated within close proximity to each other in their working life.
After a short illness, Anne died peacefully at University Hospital Limerick on Thursday last. The Ennistymon woman always held an interest in food and cooking which prompted her to attend the Dublin College of Catering, where she achieved a Diploma in Food Science and Technology in 1983. Subsequently, she spent many years in the food industry, including a stint at the Burren Smokehouse, in Lisdoonvarna.
A lifelong dream was fulfilled for Anne in 1997 when she opened a gourmet shop and restaurant with a focus on bringing fine food, wine and gourmet hampers to the people of Clare.
Her partner David Las Bleye joined the enterprise in 1999, together they created a shop and bistro which had a unique atmosphere in 1 Barrack Street. The area has undergone redevelopment as part of the €11.5m Ennis public realm works but Anne’s face and hearty laugh will always be remembered by her customers. Anne’s funeral took place on Monday at the Church of Our Lady and St. Michael Ennistymon with burial afterwards in New Cemetary Ennistymon.
Ennis native John died in the early hours of Monday morning at UHL following a short illness. A resident of Gallows Hill, he was a familiar face to customers of O’Dea’s where he served pints for fifty years, he called last orders in April 2016.
Noted as an excellent conversationalist on topics from sport to politics at a domestic and international level, social and economic affairs, John treated customers with courtesy and hospitality.
In 1989, John joined Lahinch Golf Club as a full member and over the intervening thirty six years enjoyed many days filled with fun and laughter on the links followed by a cuppa in the clubhouse afterwards. Following his retirement, John was a regular participant with the Senior Men who play every Wednesday where he regaled his playing partners with stories of his time behind the counter at his pub in Ennis.
John’s father Mick and his uncle Tom purchased O’Dea’s on O’Connell Street, Ennis in 1938 and John started working in the family business in the 1960s. Like most establishments at that time, it traded as a grocery store with the bar business at weekends but with the arrival of supermarkets, John ceased the grocery business to concentrate on the bar and off licence where he served and entertained the local community with music sessions and singsongs for over 50 years before his retirement. His funeral takes place on Thursday.
Proud Kerry native, Pat died peacefully at UHL on Friday surrounded by his loving family. He was a former officer and respected member of the Killarney Unit of the Order of Malta. Born in Killarney, Pat commenced his employment career with Hillards in Killarney. In 1966 on coming to Ennis, Pat joined the staff of Ennis Cash Company. He married Tulla woman Jean O’ Rourke.
On April 2nd 1971, Pat MacCarthy and Alan Woodford trading as Pat & Alan’s opened their new fashion store for men and boys at 55 O’ Connell St. Following Alan’s retirement in 1984 Pat continued trading as Pat MacCarthy Shoes. He put the success of the business down to the support of his customers and the loyalty of his staff.
He will be remembered fondly for his fabulous singing voice. He played the leading parts in ‘Maid of the Mountain in 1979, ‘The Desert Song’ and ‘Showboat’, as well as many other principal parts with Ennis Musical Society in the 1980s and 1990s. He was a lifelong member of Ennis Golf Club and loved playing Bridge with his friends.
In 2005 Pat went to the University of Limerick where he studied a BA in Law. A man of deep faith who was a daily mass goer and assisted as a Eucharistic Minister. His funeral took place in Ennis Cathedral on Tueday with subsequent burial in Aghadoe Lawn Cemetery, Killarney, Co. Kerry.
