Leading Offaly firm Stella Press reborn at Kilbride St in Tullamore
AL CONROY established Stella Press at Kilbride Street, Tullamore in 1958 aged just 23 years.
Al recalls his interest from an early age in art and he commenced serving an apprenticeship with Jack Adams at Tullamore Printing Works.
On completion of his seven years apprenticeship Al took courage in his hands and established Stella Press and rented a premises at Kilbride Street.
Al at 23years of age was full of confidence starting his own business and purchased a state of the art Heidelberg Printer and began offering his service providing for the needs of businesses and people in Tullamore.
In 1989 another opportunity arose and Al purchased the property. In 1995 Al rebuilt the property and continued running Stella Press until his retirement in 2002 when he reached 66 years of age after 44 years serving the needs of business and people in Tullamore and its surrounding environs.
Al reminisces on those early days at Stella Press. The printing industry back in the 1950’s and 1960’s was very different then to today's high tech printing technology which is available for Graphic Design and Printing.
The Heidelberg Printer was a One Roll Machine which meant to produce a full colour poster or full colour stationary etc each page had to run four times through the printer.
This process involved having to remove ink in the ink tray and clean it and place the next colour ink in the tray.
To get a full colour print involved using four colours – black, yellow, magenta and cyan which together create to Colour Palette Spectrum.
The old printing technology involved creating printing blocks and plates, cutting, pasting, and splicing. These terms are still used in present day Computer Software Packages. It was a unique printing process.
Al said he printed everything from business stationary, business cards, docket books, tickets for different events – social and sporting.
He printed posters for the Showbands who performed in the Dance Halls and at Carnivals which were held back in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s and were all the go at the time. Discos had not yet hit the entertainment scene.
He printed posters for the Countrymen, Big Tom, Joe Dolan, and the Drifters and many more bands.
Al recalls how in those early days he often worked more than 12 hours a day to complete orders for his clients.
In 1972 Al decided to diversify his business and he became a registered gun dealer selling guns and ammunition to hunting enthusiasts.
In 1980 he expanded the business again to provide for the needs of anglers and sold fishing rods and tackle.
Meeting the needs of hunting and angling enthusiasts formed a vital part of the Stella Press business portfolio.
When Al reached 66yrs of age in 2002 he decided it was time to retire and Stella Press ceased to exist.
Maura was involved in running the business looking after the sale of hunting and angling products and in the administration managing bookkeeping and accounts which left Al to concentrate on the printing side of the business at Stella Press.
On ceasing to trade as Stella Press Al and Maura rented the premises to several local businesses. Brian who was the youngest in the Conroy family took after his dad Al and developed a keen interest in art when in secondary school at Colaiste Coilm.
On completion of his secondary education in 1999 Brian went to Moate Business College where he completed an Art Portfolio Course before going to the Athlone Institute of Technology where he completed a three year Diploma in Design and Communications.
On graduating from AIT Brian gained further experience working for three years with Triona Mahon at Signs by Design.
Following on his work experience at Signs by Design Brian has worked in the printing industry for the past 17 years.
When Maura and Al were told that the company renting the premises at Kilbride Street were vacating the premises at the end of October 2022, the Conroy family saw the opportunity for Brian to re-establish Stella Press.
This was a nostalgic decision to re-establish Stella Press. So many people in Tullamore remember Stella Press not just because of its printing business but also for the sale of hunting and fishing products.
Brian Conroy is well known in Tullamore through his involvement in Business Network Ireland. Brian just like his dad Al is starting out to re-establish Stella Press with courage in his hands but at 41 years of age and with 25 years of knowledge of the Design and Print Industry.
Brian’s wife Christina and their three children Shane, Adam and Jenny are all proud to see Brian now running Stella Press.
Brian is passionate about meeting the bespoke printing needs of his clients and the Stella Press Mission Statement clearly outlines Brian’s dreams.
MISSION STATEMENT
Stella Press will provide you with the highest quality products and services possible in a timely fashion and at a competitive price.
Stella Press promises to listen to you and help you achieve your business goals. Stella Press will always be there with honest, expert advice and a quick, friendly customer service.
For all your printing needs think STELLA PRESS
CONTACT DETAILS
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (057) 9351971
Mob: 087 695 2025
www.stellapress.ie