Last remaining shop in Taughmaconnell closes its doors

It was the end of an era in Taughmaconnell at the weekend when the only remaining grocery shop in the village shut its doors for the final time. Moore's Shop, situated beside the local church, run for nearly five decades by Mary Moore, simply known to locals as Babby, closed on Sunday last amid much reminiscing and fond memories from locals who had bought their pint of milk, various provisions and copy of the Westmeath Independent there for many years. The retail outlet, a real local institution, was first established over 70 years ago by her mother-in-law Rose Ann Moore. After Mary, née Reilly, originally from Ardnaglug, married Mikey Moore, now deceased, she took over the running of the business, one of five local shops in the village at one time. Now, locals have to travel nine miles to Ballinasloe or around the same distance to Bealnamulla for groceries. All that is left now in the picturesque South Roscommon village is the local post office, one remaining pub and a butchers shop situated on the Brideswell road. Large numbers of local people congregated in Moore's shop on Saturday and Sunday last to bid farewell to Babby, a very popular local figure, known for her friendly manner and convivial personality with customers for many decades, and is wished well in her retirement.