Forrest's Bookshop branches out to Enniscorthy!

Some good news, at last, with the opening of a new bookshop on Castle Street. Forrest's, who already operate a successful bookshop in Ferns, opened for business last week. Hopefully, this will herald a revival in the fortunes of the street and will last longer than the plethora of businesses that have come gone in the last couple of years. The new shop will be concentrating on school books, stationery, activity books and quality wooden toys.

Castle Street, Enniscorthy - almost traffic free!

Postcard view of Enniscorthy (Castle Street) circa 1900 - the Athenaeum is only a few years old and the National Bank (the first building on the left) had yet to be rebuilt into the present impressive, stone clad  edifice.  

View from the Spire

An unusual early 20th century postcard view of Enniscorthy taken from the spire of St.Aidan's Cathedral.

Enniscorthy in quieter times #2

I came across this positively pastoral view of Enniscorthy in a recent online postcard sale. How the place has changed and Abbey Square has lost most of its former charm today.

Phoenix Rising

Colman's Pub on the Market Square, Enniscorthy, is nearing completion and a super job has been done on the rebuild. The roof sets the standard and has been done using salvaged Blue Bangor slates - probably now one of the best roofs in the town - and the on-street frontage is superb. Let's hope that a new tenant will be found soon as well as an improved clientelle from its last incarnation. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Enniscorthy in quieter times!

Came across this interesting Valentine postcard of the Shannon Quay in Enniscorthy, on eBay, and thought it worthy of inclusion here despite its obvious grubbiness. Even the Horse Chestnut trees along the riverbank had not been planted when this photo was taken. Yates' building (which is still there today as apartments and Danny Murphy's Furniture) is the most obvious landmark.

Sign of the times

Two more changes on the retail front in Enniscorthy with the closure of the "Next Door" Off Licence on Main Street, and the appearance of yet another cash for goods type outlet at the premises formerly operated as "Bonita's" also on Main Street. Between the two cash for clothes shops, a cash for gold shop and another cash for goods shop in the SuperValu carpark, it brings to a total of five (!) the number of these type outlets operating in the town.

Photos © rmgp