One of Athlone's oldest businesses is to close

Grenham Travel, on Connaught Street in Athlone, has been operating for 112 years, but will close at the end of the year with the retirement of its owner, Marie Grenham.

Marie is the third generation of the same family to operate the business. 

Grenham Travel was started by her grandfather John Grenham in 1911 when he applied for a licence to operate as a shipping agent and booked passengers on the Titanic amongst his first customers.

Marie took over the business in 1999 when her beloved father, Tommy passed away.

In Marie’s time, Grenham Travel won the Travel Agency of the year award at the 2017 Irish Travel Industry awards and the Travel Agency Marketing Campaign of the year at the 2018 awards. She was honoured by the Irish Travel Agents Association for her contribution to the travel industry in 2020.

Although not retiring until December 31, Marie is announcing the closure in advance to allow for an orderly wind up of the operation and to facilitate customers with existing bookings and vouchers.

This orderly closure is in keeping with the family business motto: “To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity”

Bookings with existing customers will continue without interruption until December 31, 2024.

All outstanding vouchers will be honoured up to 06 November 2024, with the following options: to book with Grenham Travel for 2024, receive a refund, transfer the voucher to Grenham’s Worldchoice partners:  Keller Travel of Ballinasloe  -  090 964 2131; Fahy Travel in Galway  -  091 594 747; Grogan Travel in Tuam  -  093 24116

Due to the high volume of enquires, Grenham Travel will not be taking on future bookings.

Commenting on her retirement Marie said: “I would like to thank all our customers who supported us over the decades. We have had fantastic repeat customers, many are generations of the same families trusting us with their holiday choices and travel plans throughout their lives. 

“Grenham Travel has been more than a business to me, it has been a true pleasure and privilege to engage and build relationships with customers on a personal and professional level - sharing key moments in their lives both happy and sad.

I would also like to acknowledge the incredible team members, past and present, who have worked with Grenham Travel over the years and the role they have played in making the agency such a great success.

“To the Irish Travel Agents Association, Worldchoice Group, all our business partners, representatives, and airlines - Míle Buíochas go léir for your friendly, good humoured, courteous assistance – not forgetting your patience and understanding as I always looked for the best value for our customers”.