The death has occurred of Maud Dunne (née Prescott), owner of ‘The Shop’, located beside Colt GAA Club in Raheen.
The passing of the well-known 91-year-old has been described as, “the end of an era” by those who knew her.
Mrs Dunne – mother, grandmother and great-grandmother – was an integral part of the community and ran ‘The Shop’ in Raheen for over 65 years.
“Everyone is devestated,” said Colt GAA secretary Sheila Brennan. “She was a lady and was active up to six months before her death. She was a hardy bit of stuff.”
Maud also raised vast amounts of fundraising money for Colt GAA throughout the years.
“She sold thousands of tickets for Colt GAA. Apart from selling them in the shop, she would sell them in Eamon A’Chnoic’s pub owned by her son-in-law,” said Sheila.
“There was always dancing in the pub on Mondays and Maud would be there selling tickets and always giving her support,” Sheila added.
Maud, formerly a Prescott from Coolrain, came from a family who ran a long-established pub in the area.
Maud is predeceased by her husband Paddy, whom she married in 1948, and is survived by her loving daughters Marie and Annette, sons Vincent and Brendan, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, son-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
One of the last old-style shop owners
Maud even reached national fame last year when the Farmers Journal did an interview about the veteran shop owner stocking their newspaper for an astonishing 64 years.
“We were at home one evening in 1953 when a chap with a sweet van called to the house asking for directions. I asked him if he would leave me a box of sweets, and I put them in the window.
“They went fairly quick and I realised there was a demand for a shop in the village,” Maud told the Farmers Journal.
“We started getting in other stuff, and soon we were stocking a range of things. In those times we had something to cater for almost every need of the community. Bicycle tyres, tubes, mouse traps, lamps before the arrival of the ESB, light bulbs, and so much more – we stocked it all,” recalled Maud.
She also fondly recalled the strong farming traditions in Raheen. “Local farmers passing down the village road outside our house during the night, walking the cattle to the fairs in Mountrath in the 1950s and 1960s.
“This area will always have a strong farming tradition,” she said.
Maud also spoke fondly about the hurling that took place beside the shop.
“This has always been hurling country, and it was a boost for the shop when the club eventually developed grounds in the village in the late 1980s. With the chaps and the other players calling in to the shop, it keeps me in touch with all the generations,” she said.
Local councillor John Joe Fennelly also passed on his condolences to the Dunne family.
“Maud Dunne was a lovely, lovely woman. We used to call up to Maud’s shop when visiting my uncle after Mass, it was a holiday in those days,” said John Joe.
“Maud and her late husband Paddy were lovely people. She was very good in the community and always let people know if a light was out on the street. She made sure the place was safe,” added John Joe.
Maud’s funeral takes place this Friday morning to St. Fintan’s Church, Raheen, for Funeral Mass at 12pm, followed by Burial in the adjoining cemetery.
Photographer Alf Harvey also captured Maud out and about at events over the years.
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