ON A recent trip to New York, Tulla native Seán Fitzgerald recalled a piece of Tulla’s social history that was in danger of vanishing into the mists to time.

The retired school principal from Knockjames, who now lives in Edenderry, County Offaly, was on a visit to his aunt, Eileen McNamara (née Dooley) when she recited a poem composed by the owners of ‘The New Shop’ in the middle of the last century. Now SuperValu, the New Shop operated on Main Street from the 1940s to the ‘60s. 

“Like some local shops of that era, it served as a pub too and you do could then do your grocery shopping after having a few pints,” Seán said.

The proprietors of the shop, who were forward thinking and modernised their shop  to the point of having a cold room installed for meat storage.  

“By way of advertising the latest technology, the owners composed, displayed and promoted a little ditty,” Seán explained.

“The verse had disappeared into obscurity for decades until recently recalled from memory by 91 years old Eileen.”  

“When the sun boils down on Tulla town

In the summer tropic heat

And flies are found buzzing round and round

On all kinds of meat,

There is one great boon in our new cold room

With its’ grand iced walls inside, 

You need not fret as the meats you get

Is always fresh at Floyd’s”

Eileen was born in Knockjames Tulla in 1931. She immigrated to to New York in the late 1950s and married Anthony McNamara from Magherabawn, Feakle.  They raised a family of five in Queens New York. Her husband Anthony passed away in 2001. Eileen has revisited her native Tulla many times over the years, most recently for the wedding of her grand nephew 3 years ago.

Seán said that Eileen sent him the piece in her own beautiful handwriting and describe it as “a little gem from Tulla’s past”.

“Like many Clare people in New York she retains a very keen interest in all things  local with particular reference to the Clare Champion,” Seán added.