Swan Song in Skryne

After six decades running the famous bar and shop, Frank Swan is passing on the baton of the family business

ANN CASEY

It was the end of an era in Skryne today, when local businessman, Frank Swan retired from the shop and pub which he had been running for the past 60 years and where he worked for seven decades.

Swans of Skryne has been at the heart of the community for all that time and his many friends and neighbours were there to wish Frank well on his retirement.

"I enjoyed working in both the pub and shop. It was great over the years and I made a lot of friends. It is a very good area with a lot of good neighbours and friends," he says.

His son, Alan and daughter, Paula will continue to run the businesses and Frank intends to give a hand now and again. "I'll still be in and out," he said.

Frank grew up on the Hill of Skryne, one of five brothers and one sister. His parents, James and Mary Swan were farmers. Sadly, Frank, his brother, Patsy and his sister, Bridie Bannon are the only surviving siblings.

The oldest part of Swans of Skryne is believed to date back to the 18th century. Thomas Halligan bought it in 1940 and after his death in 1958, he left it to his wife Marion.

As a young man Frank to work for Halligans in 1955 and was joined there by his late brother Liam.

Frank, Patsy and Liam bought the shop in January 1964 and he and Liam continued to run the business, with Liam working there for 50 years, before he died suddenly behind the counter ten years ago. They bought a pub in Curraha ten years after they bought the Skryne premises. Patsy moved there, brought up his family there and is still involved in the business.

Frank married his wife Marjory in 1969 and the couple brought up their family there. They have five children, Paula, Ciara, Alan. Colin and Roland and Alan and Paula will continue to run the business.

Frank and Marjory also have 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Frank built a bungalow beside the business 45 years ago, which Alan, and his wife Jane have been living there in recent years. Alan and Jane have three children and two grandchildren.

Frank and Marjory are now moving into the bungalow, while Alan, Jane and family will be moving into the shop premises.

"We are busy changing everything over at the moment," he says

Frank carried out extensive renovations to the pub and shop after he bought it, adding a large lounge. The shop originally had a thatched roof when Frank started working there.

He says he is looking forward to retirement - "it will be different anyway", but intends to help out occasionally.

Frank and his family are marking his retirement tonight with a party in the lounge with music by Eurovision singer, Eamonn Toal and a large crowd of friends, neighbours and extended family members are expected to attend.