Athlone and Bigmeadow in County Westmeath, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)
Connaught Street
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
1. Connaught Street Marker Detail
Inscription.
Connaught Street. .
Once a bustling and colourful street lined with prosperous businesses, we remember Connaught Street the way it was, Connaught [S]treet was once the busiest shopping street on Athlone's west side. The street was flanked by family businesses that sold groceries, flowers, fresh meat, vegetables and fish, hardware, electrical goods, clothing and shoes. There were many public houses, and as was common at the time, many were combined with small grocers and were located at the rear of the shop. Many other commercial activities took place in sheds and yards to the rear of these once handsome buildings., Connaught Street served generations of families that lived in the nearby houses and streets, but it also drew in customers and traders from townlands and parishes from outside the town to get supplies and strike deals on it's [sic] frequent market days. Those who remember it will fondly recall it's shopkeepers, it's characters, it's sights and it's sounds., Sadly, Connaught Street has succumbed to modern life. It's family owned grocers have given way to supermarkets, and while all of the commercial activity that was at the beating heart of this street eventually gave way to shopping centres and business parks, it's unique sense of community will never be replicated. We now look forward to a new chapter for Connaught Street, where we hope that it's eventual rejuvenation will retain some of it's former glory. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . This old photograph from the 1950's shows a section of the street that was demolished and re-developed with impressive retail units and apartment buildings in the early 2000's., The large open gate beside 'The Radio Service Station' was the entrance to Brodericks Bakery. In it's place between the modern buildings is a pleasant stroll to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, built in 1840. The new development runs to Grenham Travel on the corner of Connaught and Pearse Street, and like Mc Neills Bar and Funeral Undertakers and Walshs Bar and Grocery at the other end of the street, are the only original family businesses that survived several generations and are still thriving. Is this mix of old and new the future of Connaught Street?
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . JIM FAWL'S, formerly the Shamrock Bar that once stood on this site, slowly drifted into decline and the only reminder of its past as a pub were the four Coopers barrels behind the old wooden counter. The faded green shelves now held fishing reels and lines to suit all budgets. Big black fishing hooks dispensed in empty matchboxes that even the most suicidal Perch rejected, counted out patiently by this genial giant who always had time for a chat. As the years passed, our fishing tackle demanded more subtlety. We stopped calling but still bumped into Jim on his visits to the docks and he always took time to chat where his face would take on that familiar look and his eyes would sparkle like the shiniest Toby lure. Jim was a true gentleman and is fondly remembered by all who knew him. Joe McEvoy
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , The way it was., Connaught Street holds so many amazing memories for all of us that grew up in Athlone in the 1960's. It had everything a family needed and I remember the twice daily race to and from attending school in the Dean Kelly when the footpaths either side of the street were thronged with people on their way to work, or shop in what was then the busiest street in town. Sights and smells that changed with every footstep. Fruit and fish were unlikely companions but were always presented fresh and crisp and with a smile from Mrs. Murray or Bill in Fitzgeralds. Friday was fish day when two shillings would get you huge slabs of smoked haddock fresh from Fitzgeralds own smoke-house at the top of Parnell Square., Butchers, Bakers, Pubs and undertakers, all skilled in their trade and in the art of customer service. Delivery boys racing and weaving their way past horse and Draymen. The delicious aromas of giant Chester cakes from Lynch's and the sugar topped doughnuts from Brodericks. A quick stop at Billy Walsh's newsagents to check if the Annuals were in. Wiping the condensation from the window to view the latest Lego creation then onwards to Garricks for the comics. A quick hello to Jim Fawl then a browse in Hardimans cycle shop at the latest racers on display., Saturday was pay day for most of the boys who pulled carrots. Most of us worked for Paddy Fitzgerald the owner of the smoke-house and fish and veg shop. An impeccably dressed gentleman who loved his sport and rarely if ever, missed an All-Ireland final. Having been paid, we would head to Egans for chips. "Two bags Mammy was the shout from Tommy, an ex Jockey, then on to Bridie Keogh's for the lucky bags, macaroon and Flash bars that lasted hours and ensured that Mr. Hunter, the dentist from just up the road, was kept busy!, Connaught street has changed over time, forgotten by those who put coin and commerce before community and service, but will never be forgotten by generations of those who lived and shopped here., Joe McEvoy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . JOHN BRODERICK was born in Connaught Street in 1924. He had twelve novels published, and the best known of these were all set with Athlone as a backdrop. The family business was Broderick's Bakery, by far the biggest employer on the street. His father died when he was just three. He began his secondary education at the Marist Brothers' but at the age of 12, on his mother's remarriage to the bakery manager in 1936, he was sent to board at Saint Joseph's College in Ballinasloe. He left it without sitting his leaving certificate and was expected to take over the bakery business but always intended to write. From 1951 he lived for a time in Paris where he mingled with some of the French literary community., Broderick lived most of his life in Athlone with his mother until her death in 1974. He moved to Bath, England in 1981 where he died [in] 1989.
Once a bustling and colourful street lined with prosperous businesses,
we remember Connaught Street the way it was
Connaught [S]treet was once the busiest shopping street on Athlone's west side. The street was flanked by family businesses that sold groceries, flowers, fresh meat, vegetables and fish, hardware, electrical goods, clothing and shoes. There were many public houses, and as was common at the time, many were combined with small grocers and were located at the rear of the shop. Many other commercial activities took place in sheds and yards to the rear of these once handsome buildings.
Connaught Street served generations of families that lived in the nearby houses and streets, but it also drew in customers and traders from townlands and parishes from outside the town to get supplies and strike deals on it's [sic] frequent market days. Those who remember it will fondly recall it's shopkeepers, it's characters, it's sights and it's sounds.
Sadly, Connaught Street has succumbed to modern life. It's family owned grocers have given way to supermarkets, and while all of the commercial activity that was at the beating heart of this street eventually gave way to shopping centres and business parks, it's unique sense of community will never be replicated. We now look forward to a new chapter
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for Connaught Street, where we hope that it's eventual rejuvenation will retain some of it's former glory.
This old photograph from the 1950's shows a section
of the street that was demolished and re-developed with
impressive retail units and apartment buildings in the
early 2000's.
The large open gate beside 'The Radio Service Station'
was the entrance to Brodericks Bakery. In it's place
between the modern buildings is a pleasant stroll to
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, built in 1840. The new
development runs to Grenham Travel on the corner of
Connaught and Pearse Street, and like Mc Neills Bar
& Funeral Undertakers and Walshs Bar & Grocery at
the other end of the street, are the only original family
businesses that survived several generations and are
still thriving. Is this mix of old and new the future of
Connaught Street?
JIM FAWL'S, formerly the Shamrock Bar that once stood on this site, slowly drifted
into decline and the only reminder of its past as a pub were the four Coopers barrels behind the
old wooden counter. The faded green shelves now held fishing reels and lines to suit all budgets.
Big black fishing hooks dispensed in empty matchboxes that even the most suicidal Perch rejected,
counted out patiently by this genial giant who always had time for a
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
2. Connaught Street Marker Detail
chat. As the years passed,
our fishing tackle demanded more subtlety. We stopped calling but
still bumped into Jim on his visits to the docks and he always took
time to chat where his face would take on that familiar look and his
eyes would sparkle like the shiniest Toby lure. Jim was a true
gentleman and is fondly remembered by all who knew him. Joe McEvoy
The way it was.
Connaught Street holds so many amazing memories for all of us that
grew up in Athlone in the 1960's. It had everything a family needed and
I remember the twice daily race to and from attending school in the Dean
Kelly when the footpaths either side of the street were thronged with
people on their way to work, or shop in what was then the busiest street
in town. Sights and smells that changed with every footstep. Fruit and fish
were unlikely companions but were always presented fresh and crisp and with
a smile from Mrs. Murray or Bill in Fitzgeralds. Friday was fish day when two shillings would get you huge slabs of smoked haddock fresh from
Fitzgeralds own smoke-house at the top of Parnell Square.
Butchers, Bakers, Pubs and undertakers, all skilled in their trade and in the
art of customer service. Delivery boys racing and weaving their way past
horse and Draymen. The delicious aromas of giant Chester
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
3. Connaught Street Marker Detail
cakes from
Lynch's and the sugar topped doughnuts from Brodericks. A quick stop at
Billy Walsh's newsagents to check if the Annuals were in. Wiping the
condensation from the window to view the latest Lego creation then
onwards to Garricks for the comics. A quick hello to Jim Fawl then a
browse in Hardimans cycle shop at the latest racers on display.
Saturday was pay day for most of the boys who pulled carrots. Most of us
worked for Paddy Fitzgerald the owner of the smoke-house and fish and
veg shop. An impeccably dressed gentleman who loved his sport and
rarely if ever, missed an All-Ireland final. Having been paid, we would head
to Egans for chips. "Two bags Mammy was the shout from Tommy,
an ex Jockey, then on to Bridie Keogh's for the lucky bags, macaroon and
Flash bars that lasted hours and ensured that Mr. Hunter, the dentist from just up
the road, was kept busy!
Connaught street has changed over time, forgotten by those who
put coin
and commerce before community and service, but will never be forgotten
by generations of those who lived and shopped here.
Joe McEvoy
JOHN BRODERICK was born in Connaught Street in 1924. He had twelve novels published, and the best known of these were all set with Athlone as a backdrop. The family business was Broderick's Bakery, by far the
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
4. Connaught Street Marker Detail
biggest employer on the street. His father died when he was just three. He began his secondary education at the Marist Brothers' but at the age of 12, on his mother's remarriage to the bakery manager in 1936, he was sent to board at Saint Joseph's College in Ballinasloe. He left it without sitting his leaving certificate and was expected to take over the bakery business but always intended to write. From 1951 he lived for a time in Paris where he mingled with some of the French literary community.
Broderick lived most of his life in Athlone with his mother until her death in 1974. He moved to Bath, England in 1981 where he died [in] 1989.
Erected by Athlone Tidy Towns, pobal, and spectrum signs.
Location. 53° 25.329′ N, 7° 56.872′ W. Marker is in Athlone, Leinster, in County Westmeath. It is in Athlone and Bigmeadow. It is on Connaught Street just west of Harry's Lane, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 52 Connaught Street, Athlone, Leinster N37 V1F2, Ireland. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Hidden Heartlands. Globally, it is in the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, on the Island of Ireland, on the Celtic Fringe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Connaught Street And Environs (a few steps from this marker); Desmond Egan (a few steps
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
6. Connaught Street Marker
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., April 4, 2025
7. Connaught Street Marker
Covering the 52 Connaught Street lot
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 170 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 12, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
