‘It’s very sad and emotional, but it’s time to move on’

After 34 years in business on Dunshaughlin's Main Street, Jim and Eileen O'Brien closed the doors to their carpet and flooring business for the last time on Friday.

It was an emotional day for the couple who have run Jim O'Brien Carpets in the village since 1990 and they have thanked their customers for their support during their years in business and for the many messages of thanks they have received.

The couple are an integral part of the local community and they were inundated with wellwishers last week as many friends and loyal customers came with gifts and flowers.

The hundreds of messages on the local Dunshaughlin Grapevine Facebook page also showed the high regard in which the couple are held locally.

Speaking to the Meath Chronicle on their last day on Friday, Eileen said it was an emotional day for them both. She expressed their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who had called to wish them well and for all their loyal customers' support over the years.

Eileen laughed that if she lived long enough to drink all the bottles of wine they received in recent weeks, she would be doing well and joked that she was going to open up flower and wine shop after getting so many bouquets and wine bottles.

Jim is originally from Dunleer, Co Louth, and it was after meeting Eileen (nee Kerrigan), that he made the move to Meath. Jim started out in the carpet business with TC Matthews in Dunleer and worked in the industry for many years including in well-known Dublin stores, Clerys and Roches Stores, before deciding to open up his own business in Dunshaughlin.

Eileen told how their first premises, which they opened in 1990, was located on the other side of the street and how they moved to their current, much bigger premises in 1995. At one stage they expanded into furniture on the first floor but in latter years have concentrated on carpets and flooring.

Over the years, they have supplied carpets and wood floors to homes all around Dunshaughlin and further afield.

"There isn't a house in Dunshaughlin we haven't been in, and I'd say I have keys to most of them," said Eileen.

Jim said the community was always hugely supportive and they enjoyed their time and were sad to be leaving but it was time to take a step back.

"We have been at it long enough and need time for ourselves now, we are both in our late 70s and it's just too busy for us," added Eileen. "We couldn't thank everybody enough. It's very sad and emotional but we have to move on," she said.

They will continue to do some business from their home outside the village on a smaller scale and will continue to work with interior designers on projects. Eileen said they are also looking forward to having more time to spend with their four grandchildren.