WATCH: Local GAA club pay heartwarming tribute to retiring Ballaghaderreen shopkeeper
Imelda Towey pictured with Ballaghaderreen GAA senior team coach Gary Conway after their surprise visit last night ahead of Imelda's retirement today (Saturday). Photo: Ballaghaderreen GAA Club Instagram
Today (Saturday) marks the end of an era in Ballaghaderreen with the closing of Towey’s grocery and newsagents as it closes its doors for the final time after more than 80 years in business.
And to mark the occasion, the Ballaghaderreen GAA senior team and management made a surprise visit to Towey’s last night after training. Their coach Gary Conway led the tributes, presenting Imelda with flowers and a Ballagh' jersey.
They caught shopkeeper Imelda Towey completely unawares and you can see in the video what the visit meant to Imelda, who is a football fanatic.
Watch the video on Ballaghaderreen GAA Club's Facebook page here
Imelda’s parents, the late Mattie and Annie Towey opened their grocery shop on Main Street in 1943.
For over eight decades, the premises became an institution for people in the town and surrounding areas.
Imelda Towey’s generosity and decency is a hallmark of the service the Towey family provided to the town. The shop has been inundated with visitors ahead of the closure.
Later today, Imelda and her eight siblings who grew up working in the shop, and whose family home is still part of the building, will bid an emotional farewell to a place which holds countless fond memories for them and so many other people.
