85 year old shoe-making equipment making its way to Moynalty

Shoe-making equipment dating back to 1937, that would have been used to repair shoes for Eamonn de Valera, will be making its way to Moynalty tomorrow (Wednesday).

Transporting the historic but heavy equipment was proving a huge problem for the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum who have been given the equipment, but following an appeal today on RTE''s Liveline, the equipment will be transported to Moynalty tomorrow.

The machinery is from Curran's cobblers in Baggotrath Place in Dublin, which dates back to 1937 and was in business until recently.

John Miley the cobbler who had been running the business until recently contacted the museum offering them the historic equipment, if they were able to take it away.

He was preparing to hand back the keys of the premises at 4pm tomorrow.

Catherine McGuinness who catalogues the exhibits for the museum said they discovered they were not able to move the extremely heavy machinery.

“We tried everything we could. We tried everywhere but couldn't get anyone who would be able to move the equipment, so we decided to try Liveline.,” Catherine explains.

Both Catherine and John Miley spoke to Joe Duffy and there was an overwhelming response.

Cronin Movers who have experience of moving items for the National Museum got in contact. The equipment is being dismantled and moved to a warehouse today and will be taken to Moynalty tomorrow.

They also had lot of other offers of help.

“In the first half hour after the show people started turning up at the shop offering to transport the equipment for us and asking the way to Moynalty,” Catherine says.

Catherine was familiar with the shop from living in Dublin. The museum already has shoe-making equipment and as Catherine catalogues the exhibits, when it came to the shoe-making equipment she turned to John Miley for help.

When the decision was taken to close the show, he in turn contacted the Museum.

“The equipment is all in working order. It needs a little renovation, but later in the year, it will be exhibited in Moynalty,” Catherine says.

Curran’s was started up in 1937 by Michael Curran and John's father worked for him. It was one of the most popular shoe repair shops in the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing for the Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival, which takes place on 14th August.