Tullamore mourns the loss of iconic figure

Photo: The late Paddy Cloonan.

Warm tributes have been pouring in over recent days for a man described as part of the fabric of Tullamore for over seven decades.

Paddy Cloonan, late of Bachelor's Walk, died peacefully at the Midland Regional Hospital on Tuesday, July 7 last, aged 92.

An iconic figure in the business life of the town, Paddy started Cloonan's Hardware in the heart of Tullamore way back in the late 1940s and it has been part and parcel of the community ever since. The business is now run by Paddy's son Brian, who is well known all over the region for his good-humoured hardware tips on a regular slot on Midlands 103.

Poignantly, Cloonan's Hardware announced Paddy's death on their Facebook on Tuesday with a lovely photo of him working in the shop, taken for the Humans of Offaly project several years ago where he recounted his memories of how he got into the hardware trade and the people he met along the way. It was captioned simply with the message: “We mourn our loss but we celebrate his life of 92 years”.

As news filtered out in recent days, the tributes flooded in on social media and on the rip.ie condolence book for someone described as a true gentleman, and a great character who loved the banter, chat and the jokes.

Known for his wisdom and chat, hundreds of sympathy messages also paid tribute to Paddy's love of meeting customers, his calm disposition, and his work to advance Tullamore and Offaly over many years.

“He was a part of the fabric of Tullamore. He was 72 years in business which must be a record and was an institution in the town as was his father Stephen and as is his son Brian,” a tribute on the Offaly History Centre Facebook page said on Wednesday. “A life well lived and now called home.”

Tommy Clarke's Barbershop posted a message saying they were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a neighbour and a dear friend.

“A gentleman and fantastic businessman he will be very much missed on William Street and indeed Tullamore,” the message said in a warm tribute to the late Paddy Cloonan.

Another well known local business, Grennans on the Green in Killeigh, described him as an “iconic man who will be missed by many.”

Cafe India, based in nearby Patrick Street added:” Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this hard time from us all at Cafe India”.

Cloonan's Hardware shop was closed until Friday morning as a mark of respect to its founder.

Mr Cloonan is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Colette, brothers Austin and Jim and sisters Bea and Lucy.

Paddy will be sadly missed by his loving children Stephen, Brona, Morna, Brian and Nicki, his adored grandchildren Jeanne, Peter, Barry, Rory, Andrew, Sadhbh, Sibéal, Mark, Joy, Aifric and Tashi and great-grandchildren April and Olive, his sons-in-law Stephen, Ken, and Brian and daughters-in-law Kate, and especially Rhona, nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Due to government restrictions, a family funeral took place on Thursday morning in the Church of the Assumption, Tullamore, followed by burial in Clonminch Cemetery.

Large numbers of people stood along the route from the church to the cemetery, via Cloonan's Hardware, as a mark of respect to a giant of the town who will be sorely missed by so many.