Mullaney Bros, 9 O’Connell Street, Sligo, Co. Sligo

Mullaney Brothers was established in 1909 when Michael Mullaney bought the existing business from White Brothers. Located in O’Connell Street in the heart of Sligo town, they specialise in sourcing quality international and Irish merchandise and design from t-shirts, scarves, sweater, coats and jackets, plus a range of linens for household and tabletop. The elegant shopfront consists of Burmese teak and mahogany incorporating awning, terminal consoles, recessed panelled pilasters, glass fascia containing recessed gold lettering and signed 'W M Costello and Sons, Quay St. Sligo.’ The entrance also consists of a unique fan style motif on the mosaic floor as well as a beautiful hand-painted deco lamp shade.

Cosgrove & Sons, Delicatessen, Market Street, Sligo, Co. Sligo

Cosgroves is one of the oldest shops in Sligo and originally opened its doors in 1898 as a restaurant/shop. The shop itself is like stepping back in time to a treasure trove of fine foods from around the world. The shop is also known as the first shop to sell ice cream in Sligo. The shopfront is a really well preserved late-nineteenth century shopfront that has been well maintained and evokes an earlier time. The hand-painted signage in a script style font on a red fascia is an invaluable part of Sligo's heritage shopfronts. This hand-painted signage is painted by local signwriter, Gerry McGarrigle, who has painted many shops across the north west of Ireland.

Dwyer's Butchers, O'Connell Street, Ballymote, Co. Sligo

Built circa 1870, this carved timber shopfront with finely crafted glazed ceramic tiles preserves a shop type once central to the life of small Irish towns.

Hargadon Bros bar, 4 / 5 O’Connell Street, Sligo

Walking off Sligo’s main shopping street into Hargadons is like taking a step back in time, as its delightful and charismatic interior is almost the same as when it first opened.

The present building situated at 4 & 5 O’Connell Street, Sligo was built in 1864 by Bernard Collery, a local merchant who was also a member of Sligo Town Council and a Member of Parliament representing Sligo.

The businesses carried on included general grocery and the retail and wholesale of beer, wine and spirits based in the cellars and bonded warehouse at the rear of the building.

After Mr. Collery’s death in 1909 the property was acquired by Messrs Patrick & Thomas Hargadon who gave the property its name. Acquired in 2006 by R. & E. Monahan as part of the development of the adjoining Johnston Court Shopping Mall, Hargadons has since been sensitively restored to its former glory while keeping its original architecture, fixtures and fittings, its ambience and eclectic atmosphere.

J. Harte, Greengrocers, 9 John Street / Charles Street, Sligo

Built circa 1900, it is a great example of a building type combining a shop premises with living accommodation above, in which the external painted timber shutters to the display window have survived. Sally Harte who ran the greengrocery where the customer always came first, was renowned for her steadfast generosity and kindness. A keen sports fan Sally was a known to be a keen tennis player and big Sligo Rovers fan. The shop always had Rovers newspaper clippings and posters dotted around the shop. I remember visiting here with my Grandad, and Sally would always throw a few extra potatoes or carrots in the bag before leaving as a gesture of thanks. The vegetables initially came from the family farm near Cloverhill, delivered by Sally's brother, Pauric. Such was Sally's attention to detail and care for her customers that she was renowned for cutting turnips in two to ensure they were of good quality before she would allow them leave her shop. Below are some interior photos I recently took of the price list and some of the Sligo memorabilia on show.