Ireland's oldest department store has served area for almost 190 yearsIn an era when many consumers have been swapping shop windows for browser windows, the retail core of Athlone, and other towns, has been in a struggle to remain vibrant. This week, we talk to ROSIE BOLES, who heads up Ireland's oldest department store, right here in Athlone. Ireland’s oldest department store, Burgess of Athlone, has been a local institution for almost 190 years. Established in 1839 by 21-year-old Thomas Burgess, the store remained in the Burgess family until 1951 when Robert Boles purchased it. “While everyone else was making banana bread and sourdough, we were on the phone asking people if they’d ever thought about going into retail,” Rosie said.

Source: Irish Independent March 10, 2026 00:32 UTC