Door closes on Francie Daly Motors

AFTER decades in business in Ennis, Francie Daly Motors has closed its doors. The car dealership has been in operation on the Clare Road since 1989. Following the closure of the business, Francie told The Clare Champion, “We’ve closed, with the present climate being downhill all the time in the business that we’re in. We’re sorry to have to do it, we thought we gave a good, honest service.”

The family business employed seven people, including Mr Daly’s son and daughter. However, while Francie Daly’s has closed its doors, Mr Daly stated he is hopeful that they will be back in business in the future.

“I’m not saying we’re going away, I intend to come back but at this moment in time we have had to close,” he said.

According to Mr Daly, the loss of their petrol pumps had an adverse effect on business. “The motor trade has gone very bad everywhere. We lost the petrol a number of months ago and we were doing a huge amount, at one time. But then there was a lot of undercutting of prices elsewhere, which reduced our volume and we couldn’t afford to have the petrol system. Before, people would come in for their petrol, which we would fill for them and they loved that. Then, while they were here, they would get other things done. If you get people in, they stay with you but the loss of the petrol meant the business went with it.”

Mr Daly’s business began in Ennis selling car parts in 1982, before moving onto the Clare Road in 1989. Mr Daly said since closing, he and his family has received a lot of support locally.

“I would like to thank our customers, who have supported us over the years. A lot of people have phoned me since we closed to tell us how much of a loss we will be. But we are hoping we will be back to serve them again,” he said.

The closure of Francie Daly’s comes in a week following the shock closure of Citygate Renault dealership on the Gort Road.