Remembering De Cleir's shop - Locals reflect as 200-year-old Offaly business shuts

On New Year’s Eve a crowd of people gathered outside De Cleir’s shop in Kinnitty an hour before closure. It was an unusual sight - the pavement outside the village shop isn’t the most typical gathering spot, particularly in the cold - but for locals there was no better place to be. It was the end of an era, and they intended to witness it. 

Run by the same family for almost 200 years, De Cleir’s (trading as Michael De Cleir Limited) was a Kinnitty landmark, providing an invaluable service as both a general store and community hub. It was a place where people could pop in for milk and come away with all the latest news of the village. 

Michael De Cleir

Owner Michael De Cleir - affectionately known as Mick - considered retirement for several years before finally deciding to shut. 

It was a decision he didn’t make lightly.  

“I hate closing down,” he said, “but I’m just not able for it anymore. I did [love it] but when I got ill it was really difficult on me. Right now I’m standing against the counter to keep myself standing straight, but I used to really enjoy it. 

“But look, you have to do what you have to do.” 

Rising costs and lack of government intervention were also factors in his decision. 

“They’re really not encouraging you to stay in business.” 

De Cleir's shopfront through the years 

Asked what he’ll miss most about running the shop, he said, “Oh, the people. The people and the kids, the whole lot.”  

Michael has worked at De Cleir’s on and off since he was seven or eight years old, and was probably one of the most informed people in Kinnitty. 

“When I close now I really have no outlet to find anything out,” he mused. “I’d know everything in the shop because people would come and tell me. 

“I’ll have to go to the pub to get information!” 

He reflected on the emotional nature of the day, having slept very little the night before. 

“I won’t realise it until I’m actually closed down,” he said. 

Michael's sister Neasa and nephew Jann outside De Cleir's shop on New Year's Eve

Entering De Cleir’s beneath its handpainted sign is like stepping back in time, a feeling many in the community will miss. It was something different for everyone, but above all it was a functioning time capsule; the kind of shop where you could find anything and everything.

Wood and laminate shelves were laden with bread, flour, buns, boxes of local eggs and spuds, as well as things like electrical tape, sliotars, postcards, lighter fluid, baby soothers, spools of thread, stationery, and - helpfully - a selection of the latest Lidl/Aldi catalogues. 

Posters about local fundraisers and the GAA lotto were taped to the walls and beams, as well as a sign about the shop’s key-cutting service and hand drawn pictures from kids. A festive wreath hung next to a notice stating the shop is cash-only, and a green and red ‘OPEN’ sign flashed in the window, casting a warm glow on the bystanders waiting outside. 

Earlier in the afternoon of December 31, the stream of people visiting the shop throughout the day was steady but not frantic. Passersby unaware of the shop’s imminent closure could be forgiven for not realising it; there was nothing to suggest it wasn’t a day like any other. 

It wasn’t until late in the evening when a member of staff taped handwritten A4 pages to the walls outside. They read: ‘CLEARANCE’, ‘BARGAINS GALORE’, and ‘HEAVILY REDUCED’. 

Ann McCann serving final customers 

But shortly before closure word had spread and people came to say farewell to the beloved little shop. 

In the pursuit of nostalgia, some peculiar purchases were made; one former staff member bought a large jar of bouncy balls, while others bought an ancient St Patrick’s Day banner, nets of buckets and spades, tubes of bubbles, and - despite the near-freezing temperatures - ice creams, which were heavily discounted and eaten outside by many in the crowd. 

Offaly TDs Carol Nolan and John Clendennen both stopped by twice to say goodbye to Michael and staff. 

Deputy Nolan described the day as “very sad”. 

“I’m very appreciative to the De Cleir family,” she said, “they’ve been here a long, long time and provided a great service. Mick and his quick wit will be missed. He has a great sense of humour and I want to thank him and wish him the best.” 

Looking back on his childhood memories, Deputy Clendennen said, “I’ve grown up in the village all my life and I have very fond memories of this shop over the years. Whether it be going to the arcade room or buying penny sweets, it was always very much a central part of my childhood. 

“I think back to the village here years ago with kids out playing soccer and all the energy throughout the summer, and the shop was very much at the heart of it. As well as the other shops; Coughlans next door, Peavoy’s which has transformed into a coffee shop, and then you had Kennedy’s. 

“While this is a very sad day, I want to wish Michael the very best of luck in retirement.” 

Carol Nolan TD with Michael De Cleir 

Michael’s extended family also turned up to see off the family business, including toddlers Tiernan De Cleir and Croía Clarke. The youngest De Cleirs spent the majority of their time walking in the door and out again, playing with bubbles, and eating plain sliced bread by the handful. 

Most of the family - Michael has ten siblings - worked in the shop at one time or another. 

“We’ve all done our stint here,” Michael said. “There were probably six of us serving Sundays after mass, it was chock-a-block. At that time we didn’t have a table where you scanned anything. It’s all changed.” 

As Michael’s sister Mirta Kozlowska completed her final shift, she said, “It doesn’t feel real. It’s going to be strange not being able to work here, or to have a shop to come to for something. A lot of people come here and have a chat, and it won’t be there anymore.” 

Michael’s nephew Jann O’Hehir has been employed at the shop for a long time. 

“I’ve worked here since I was about six,” he said. “Since I could see over the counter they put me behind it.” 

He recalled different eras of the shop fondly, particularly a time when it served loose cigarettes and had multi-functional uses. 

“There’s been some interesting times,” he said. “There was a pool room where the stock room is now and we had a full size snooker table as well.” 

Seán De Cleir with his mother Irena (née Cebulska) and brother Pierce 

Michael’s brother Seán also recalled one of his own experiences. 

“I used to open up on a Sunday morning for the papers,” he said. “I had to drive into Birr to get the English papers, there was no delivery to Kinnitty then. 

“I’m going to miss having the local newspapers to hand.” 

Working in De Cleir’s since 2020, Ann McCann described the closure as “a pity”. 

“I used to come in here when I was young and the place never changed a bit,” she said. “It just stayed as it was. It’s going to be a huge loss to the village.” 

But she had nothing but good things to say about her former boss. 

“Michael’s so nice, especially to the young children,” she said. “He’s kind of right to retire, he’s been here a long time so I hope he has a nice retirement. I liked working for him!” 

However, she lamented the loss of another service in the village. 

“The post office shut just last year so this is another thing closing,” she said. 

But there’s some hope for the future; local man Jodie Flaherty plans to open a store further up the main street. 

“He drove by a while ago waving at everybody,” Ann said smiling. “It’ll take about a month but he’ll open then and I’m going to go work for him.” 

De Cleir’s shop has evolved many times over the years, always changing and adapting to the needs of the village. It was once a bakery, a drapery shop, and even an undertaking business run by Michael’s father, Gearoid. At one time, the family used to package and sell their own tea in personalised bags featuring a painting of the shop facade. 

Places like De Cleir’s are hard to come by. It’s the kind of people-focused shop only found in rural Ireland; full of quirks - very special customers could help themselves to a kettle behind the counter to make their own brew - and free from the charmless, sanitised decor of most modern shops. In many ways it’s the very heart of Irish community, a junction where people of all ages converge to chat and exchange information, buy essentials, and get involved in village life. And with staff as friendly as Michael and his team, it’s impossible not to think fondly of it.  

It’s clear Michael and the shop were beloved in the village, particularly among local children, who brought special drawings and cards for their favourite shopkeeper during the day. 

One such note was taped onto a shelf of sweets: ‘To Mick, Merry Christmas. I really do not want you to close down but you have to. I’m going to miss you so so so much!’ 

One child drew a portrait of Michael while another coloured a series of hearts accompanied by a message: ‘Thanks for everything, Mick!’ 

Handwritten retirement cards were also displayed with pride. Some of the thoughtful messages included: ‘Sorry to see the lovely shop close’ and ‘Thank you for all your kindness’. 

When the time finally came to turn off the sign and close the door, dozens of people had gathered outside the little shop, many of whom had their phones at the ready to record the big moment. 

And true to form, Michael pulled the shutters down and showcased his famous wit to customers for a final time. 

“How am I going to get back in?” he quipped.