By Joe Barrett Members of the Portlaoise Guild of the ICA held their annual general meeting recently and made presentations to several members who reformed the…
By Joe Barrett Members of the Portlaoise Guild of the ICA were invited to the local library during the recent Age and Opportunity Bealtaine Festival to showcase…
The expansion of the Woolworth chain in Ireland in the early 1950s proceeded smoothly except in one location, Galway. A number of city councillors, supported by some local retailers, were against bringing new business into town. Eventually, Woolworths purchased the site of the old Royal Hotel in the Square. The hotel was demolished and a new purpose built retail store constructed in its place. When Woolworths advertised for staff, more than 500 girls applied. Officials of the firm were very taken aback and it took several days to complete the interviews. The weekly wage offered to the girls, £4 7s 6d, was very good for the time. About 50 people were initially employed.