The History of Rohan’s, Main St, Killaloe

When the Killaloe Ballina History Society moved to its new home, so kindly offered by Wood and Bell, we wondered if we could find any history regarding the building.  We asked Freda Gleeson nee Phelan if she had any information and lo and behold Freda had it both history and photographs which she kindly shared with us and now we are sharing with you.

The premises was opened as a shop in 1861 by Matthew Rohan, he was a wine and spirit merchant and also an emigration agent, tickets could be purchased for the Cunard Line sailings to America.  

                Matthew Rohan

Matthew had four sons and one daughter Delia.  He died in October 1906 and Delia took over the business, she married Edward Richardson in 1908, many of you may remember the Richardson name above the shop window up until the mid 2000’s.  

           Delia Rohan and Matthew Richardson

Delia and Edward had three daughters, tragically Delia died in childbirth in 1911 and Edward was left with two infant girls, Eileen and Kitty (Freda’s Mother).  Edward passed away in 1951 and Kitty took over the business with her husband William Phelan.  Kitty died in 1963 and William in 1977, Freda took over the reins and ran the business until she sold it in 1990.

Here are more images Freda sent to us, it is so wonderful to have this history of a Killaloe family from 1861 to the present day.  If you have any family history, documents or photographs that you would like to share we would love to hear from you.

Return envelope for Cunard Lines and Richardson address label

Bottle labels from the time of Matthew Rohan, Freda’s Great Grandfather, her Grandfather, Edward Richardson and her Father, William Phelan.

                      Freda’s Grandmother, Delia Rohan