Memories of bygone days in Kells

Dear sir - My sisters and I would like to make an addition to your recent account of the history of Crosby's Shop in Kells. Our great aunt Adelaide was rather a wonderful woman and we love to see her name still over the shop in Kells. It is good to know that along with her name the traditions that Miss Crosby established in the little shop have survived to this day and we hope that it can continue into the future. Adelaide Crosby started the business about 90 years ago and died in April 1949, and I quote from her obituary published in the Chronicle that year: "The death of Miss Adelaide Crosbie, Farrell Street Kells, will be regretted not only in Kells and Meath but also in many parts of the world. She was that kind of person. Over 30 years ago she opened a newsagency, tobacconist shop in Farrell Street, Kells. It was an almost instantaneous success which the years served only to enhance. Business acumen alone was not responsible for the growth of her little enterprise. Customers were attracted to her premises as to a magnet by her colourful personality. Her wit, naturalness, self-possession, and candour won the love of the townspeople and the interest of visitors. Her premises were patronised by the humblest in the district and the most exalted. A list of a section of her customers would read like a social register. "Addie" as she was affectionately known far and wide and by lords and dustmen made her customers her friends. Her home and her assistance were ever at the disposal of Kells Nursing Association which was very near to her heart. A member of the executive Committee she was prominently associated with that excellent organisation for twenty years. In the social life of Kells, the late Miss Crosbie occupied an unique niche, one that her death will probably leave forever vacant. Solely by a compelling force of her own character she raised herself from comparatively humble origin to the status of confidante to the leaders of society. Yet she did not allow barriers to rise between herself and those with whom she grew up. Week by week down the years, up and down the English-speaking world, she sent scores of copies of "Meath Chronicle" to old customers and friends. To these this issue also will come. It will bring with it nostalgic memories - memories of a newsagent's shop where repartee, wit and laughter conspired to strip the shy of their reserve and the haughty of their coldness and where almost countless friendships were born. It will seem to bring with it too the faint fading echo of "Addie's" old familiar farewell: "Good-bye son - good-bye daughter .....". Our mother (now in her 90s) recalls as a small child in the 1920s, running into her aunt Addie's shop for comics. Addie was nearly always in the shop, either herself or Paddy Larissy, who worked with Addie from the time he left school, and stayed with her in the business until her death when he took over. Addie sold newspapers, booklets, tobacco apples, whatever people needed. She lived 'over the shop'; our mother loved her comfortable sitting room, where she displayed many photographs of the Headfort family. Lady Molly Headfort was a particular friend and we still have the missal which she gave to Addie. Whilst spending most of her life in Kells, she paid frequent visits to France to visit her sister, so she was far from parochial in outlook. Our mother was told that Addie had wanted to train to be a nurse, but health problems prevented her from following this vocation. Rather than be idle, Addie decided to start a business, and in this venture as can be gathered from her obituary, she was very successful. In a way it is a tribute to the memory of a warm hearted and enterprising woman that the sign over the shop endures. Just a bit of local history that we think should not be forgotten. Yours, Ann Dolan, Geraldine Gray, Bridget Scott.