End of an era in Athlone as Marie Grenham announces retirement plans

"A bittersweet moment" is how the owner of one of Athlone's best-loved businesses described the decision to close for good when she retires at the end of this year.

For the last 112 years Grenham Travel has been part of the commercial life of the town, but on Wednesday of last week owner Marie Grenham announced that the Connaught Street travel agency would be shutting at the end of 2024.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Monday, Marie said she was taken aback by the extent of the public response to the announcement over the last week.

"I am overwhelmed with the response and the kindness of people, between emails, texts and phone calls," she said.

"It's still very raw. It's a big decision but I felt that the time was right.

“I am over retirement age - I'm around 50 years doing it - and it's important to come out of it when you're in good health and good form."

Marie is the third generation of her 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.

The business was taken over by Marie in 1999 when her beloved father, Tommy, passed away.

In recent times, Grenham Travel has picked up accolades at the Irish Travel Industry Awards, and in 2020 Marie was honoured for her contribution to the travel industry by the Irish Travel Agents Association.

Her business has had a very high proportion of repeat customers, with several generations of families from Athlone and further afield coming to Grenham's to book their holidays.

"You made great friends (through the business) and you saw them in good times and bad times. We are a small company and it was very personalised. You do what you can for people," she said.

"I've also been very lucky with my past and present staff. That is part of what made (the business) as successful as it has been. Everybody has gotten on great, and Grenham Travel has been very fortunate in that regard."

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

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

Those with Grenham Travel vouchers can use them until November 6, or they can receive a refund, or have the voucher transferred to one of Grenham's Worldchoice travel partners.

In her announcement last week, Marie thanked the customers who have supported the business over the decades as well as the staff members and industry partners who had contributed to its success.

She said on Monday that she was glad the business was closing on its own terms, rather than being forced to close, but on a personal level her retirement at the end of the year has not sunk in.

"I suppose it hasn't hit me yet. People are saying, 'What have you got planned?' But I'm afraid I haven't gotten that far!"

She also said she was very touched by a poem about Grenham Travel which was written by JP Burke and shared on the 'Athlone Down Memory Lane' Facebook page last week.

The poem concluded:

"So as her retirement clock ticks down - may we put on record here

In the world of travel experts - Marie Grenham had no peer.

In the firmament of business - you were a shining star

And we thank you for being - the wonderful lady that you are."