Changing of the guard in Kilmessan as Mia retires from running Thornes
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Champagne and balloons as current and former employees of the shop and post office in Kilmessan join Mia Thornes on her last day after 47 years of service, from left, Mairead Fitzgerald, Pom Killion, Mia Thornes, Carmel Yore and Bridget Horan. Photo: David Mullen/www.cyberimages.net David MullenImage 2 of 3
Mia Thornes pictured serving customers on her last day in the shop on New Year’s Eve. David MullenImage 3 of 3
Last post .... Marie Thornes will be stepping down as Kilmessan post mistress on 23rd January. David MullenThere was a changing of the guard in Kilmessan on New Year's Eve as Marie Thornes retired from running Thornes shop in the village and her sister Pom Killion took over.
It is 47 years since Marie - known locally as Mia - took over the running of the shop and the local post office, when it started out in a Barna temporary cabin behind the public house been run by her mother Maureen, at the time. Over the years it grew to the substantial business it is today, in a permanent premises beside Kilmessan school and church, where everything from general groceries to giftware is available, and you can still get ham fresh from the slicer. Pom is taking over the general running of the store, and the post office element of the business is moving up the street to Gary Costello's Centre, where Carmel Yore will continue to operate the An Post outlet.
Marie has always been very helpful in the shop and sourcing goods and requirements for customers, who are sorry to see her go, but are looking forward to continuing with Pom and her assistant, Mairead Fitzgerald. Having originally worked in the shop, Pom then spent some 20 years running Gifts of Distinction in Trim before returning to Kilmessan with her late husband, Mattie Killion.
Last year also saw the passing of an era in the village when the Thornes public house, run by Hubert and Maureen Thornes and then John and Maura Thornes, changed hands and was acquired by local man Ronan Power, who also plans on opening a pharmacy beside the pub, which is continuing as HA Thornes.
"Kilmessan is home for me and my family, so it means a lot to be able to invest back into the village," Ronan said this week. "Taking on the pub was about continuing something that really matters to the community. Pubs like this have always been places where people meet, talk and look out for one another. Opening a pharmacy nearby is part of the same idea, making sure essential services are there for people in Kilmessan, close to home."