BS: another part of rural ireland dies

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 21 Dec 14 - 11:56 AM

The rise of online shopping is changing the face of the high street everywhere. First, they came for the bookshops... then they came for the cinemas...

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Dec 14 - 06:54 AM

and the goats

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 09:17 PM

you could always start a folk club - that would get the kids in....

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 03:18 PM

increased overheads such as increased rates was given as the reason.

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Thompson
Date: 20 Dec 14 - 02:26 AM

Rapparee, "the children aren't interested" has been the case in most businesses in Ireland for many years; also the attitude that a business is something to make your fortune from and then sell up - the "exit strategy", as the term was during the Celtic Tiger years.
But it's not a new thing; if you read Liam O'Flaherty's satiric A Tourist's Guide to Ireland (published in 1929), he writes of the gombeen wringing profit out of his neighbours so that his children may become doctors and lawyers.
A book well worth reading if you're depressed out how Ireland is now; how far we've come. It's available on archive.org

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 02:31 PM

The previous few threads remind me of our old broom, it had only had four new sets of bristles and two new handles and was as good as new,



I'll get me coat!

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: GUEST,beachcomber
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 11:42 AM

Ah yes, Black belt caterpillar wrestler, the Sole" departed from the body ! amen.

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 10:04 AM

Boots are not made to last the way they used to obviously. I have just had to gets some new hiking boots after only 27 years of use!
The uppers came away from the soles which were only halfway worn down, and yes they have done several thousand miles of walking.

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 08:37 AM

Erm....it's the brogues I've had for 35 years, worn with a variety of suits over that period!

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Rob Naylor
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 08:35 AM

Well, PFR, I have a pair of black brogue shoes that I wear with suits which I've had for 35 years. Just having their second re-sole now. Cheaneys, if I recall, though the tooled and punched name on the inside has long ago worn away.

I recently mended a wooden pepper mill that I've had for 40 years. The bar across the bottom holding the grinding gear in had just worn through with use....so I filed down a spare aluminium guy rope tightener from one of my tents and screwed it on in its place. Works (and looks, if anyone ever bothers to turn it upside down to inspect) fine.

My oldest camping stove is an original "Bluet" which my uncle gave me second hand when I was 10. Must be at least 60 years old by now. I've replaced the rubber canister seal and the control knob and it's still fine.

I also "make do and mend" with more modern stuff, such as mobile phones, computer mice, etc. I hate throwing stuff away and buying new if it can be fixed! I have one older Nokia where I've replaced the touch screen, the end cap, the HDMI connector and the camera flash, at different times, all with bits bought for a quid or two from eBay.

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 02:50 AM

Back in the early 80s when I was a 'mature' student
[ie I didn't start my degree until age 22 after the band split up],
I'd had to learn to lead a frugal lifestyle of making ends meet and things last...

So I nipped into a small shoe repair shop to buy a packet of segs.

The bloke in front by the counter was taking in a pair of knee length leather army style riding boots.

It turns out it was time for their regular heel and sole maitenance
as they had been worn continuously in his family for over 70 years...

You won't see much of that any more these days.......



Mind you, knee length leather army style riding boots ???
due to it being a hip trendy city, it was difficult to guess if he was from a strict military family,
or one with a very long tradition of decadent kinky bondage and S&M.......


errrmmmm..., or both !!!???

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Dec 14 - 02:29 AM

yeh! look on the bright side! you might get a MacDonalds!

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 09:54 PM

The children aren't interested in continuing them. I've spoken with several shopkeepers in Dingle, Ballyferriter, etc. and the answer is always the same. And something will move in to fill the vacuum.

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: GUEST,achmelvich
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 07:57 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrGa7LqLzA4

is this the sort of shop you mean? a part of ireland will never die -craggy island

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 05:01 PM

Dick,

That sort of shop, which I love, would be hard pushed to stay in business in a medium sized town anywhere in the UK. Sad though it may be it is merely the change in our societies. Blacksmiths are few and far between, so are coopers, thatchers etc ..........etc

Subject: RE: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: Noreen
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 04:13 PM

You will find that many similar sad closures are happening in many countries, Dick- it can't al be the responsibility of Enda Kenny, or his company.
The world is changing.

Subject: BS: another part of rural ireland dies
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Dec 14 - 12:54 PM

"Wisemans Durrus - General Store
9 December
Last few days of our closing down sale up to 50% off all wet suits, fishing equipment,steel nails ,paint, gardening equipment, wellingtons, rain and swimming gear, hiking and running gear, up to 40% off all hardware, no risk boots, shovels, xmas stock and toys. Everything must go something for everyone come check us out you won't be disappointed .You better hurry and grab a bargain closing on the 21st of December."   
this shop will close after 80 years, thanks to Enda Kenny and company, increased overheads, and less money available for consumer spending and changing shopping habits