Thanks to Larry O’Hagan of the Dundalk Northend and Friends group for sharing this superb shot of Park Street in the 1950s.
The shot captures a busy street and not a lot has changed by the looks of things with Matthews’ Chemist still clearly visible, as well as the clock above Russell’s Bus Saloon bar.
Source: Dundalk Northend and Friends (Facebook)
Charley McCarthy has shared the above picture over on the Dundalk Northend and Friends Facebook page of a protest outside the Louth County Hospital in 1983, protesting against the planned closure of maternity services at the hospital.
It’s over 12 years now since the maternity unit at the Louth closed but it’s hard to believe the fight was going on almost two decades prior to that.
Larry O’Hagan posted some interesting images over on the Dundalk Northend and Friends Facebook page recently of the pubs of Park Street (and Francis Street in one instance) in what looks to be sometime in the 1990s.
It’s interesting to note how some remain virtually unchanged, while others have changed quite drastically.
Perhaps the biggest change has been at Tara Bars, which is now the disco bar Eden/The Garden. The Francis Street Inn has probably changed hands the most from Lawlors, to Good Time Charlies, to Hannigan’s and most recently, The Bar.
The Seanchaí has also been revamped from The Beerkeeper to the Bartender.
Perhaps the least change is Brian McEntegart’s, aka The Vinegar Man’s. Michael McCourt is probably the only person who is still running one of the pubs from the time these shots were taken though following Brian’s recent retirement.
The Francis Street Inn, which is now The Bar
Michael McCourt’s, which is still Michael McCourt’s, albeit the pub has been significantly revamped internally
Brian McEntegart’s, aka The Vinegar Man’s, which has probably changed the least of any of the pubs in Park Street
Tara Bars, which is now The Garden/Eden
Gormley’s, which is now The Punters
The Seanchaí, which is now The Bartender
Rockwells, which is now Parkes
The Fane remains the same
Thanks to Charley McCarthy for sharing this picture over on the Dundalk Northend and Friends Facebook page of the Spirit Store in days gone by.
The venue is a lot different now but you can still see the influence the past has had on the current design.
The shopping centre in years gone by
With the ongoing demolition of the Dundalk Shopping Centre, a number of people have been sharing their memories of the old place over on the Dundalk Northend and Friends Facebook page.
Here’s one particularly good poem by Mary Boyle, which she titled ‘Ode to the Dundalk Shopping Centre 1974-2013’
For decades it stood,
was the hub of the town
but time took its toll
now they’ve pulled it all down
As the shops started closing
people drifted away
it had seen better years
but was great in its day.
Cafes and a cinema
there was nothing it lacked.
People came from all over,
at weekends it was packed.
I loved to walk round
browsing shops at my leisure
meeting friends at weekends
are all memories i’ll treasure.
Picture credit: Anthony O’Hagan
Thanks to Greg Gormley for sharing the following snap over on the Dundalk Northend and Friends page of The Castle Bar.
Greg and his family are currently running the Seatown pub, having taken over from Dessie Corbett in recent years.
This is a vintage shot of what the old place used to look like.
Talk of the Town 