Cobbler Closing at The Ormonde

stanley1980 · 20-12-2013 5:46pm #1

Just back from Pat the Cobbler's at the Ormonde. A sign on the door explaining that he's closing down as of Christmas Eve. Pat told me he's been a cobbler for 50 years and was now calling it a day.

Just like to take this opportunity to wish Pat a very well-deserved and happy retirement. How many times did I leave his shop feeling more than a little guilty having just been charged some ridiculously low price (or sometimes nothing!) for the benefits of his skilled work. I've no doubt many others have the same story to tell. He told me a touching story of how over the years anxious school boys who'd ripped shoes/school bags etc would often come in to him and he'd save them an ear-bashing (or worse!) by mending their things for free.

Pat is a true gentleman and will be sorely missed.

pixbyjohn · 20-12-2013 9:49pm

Agreed on above. Pat worked for years in Bran-Nu on Patrick Street in Dun Laoghaire where he learned his trade. A real gentleman who always has time to chat to his customers.

FirstIn · 21-12-2013 1:02pm

He's a gent. Will be missed.

loobylou · 22-12-2013 4:24pm

FirstIn wrote: »

He's a gent. Will be missed.

Not by me. He let me down badly recently, promising a repair to a boot by a date agreed. When I went back to collect them he hadn't even looked at them.
Luckily the guy in Bray did the job the same day.

Huntthe · 23-12-2013 1:34pm

loobylou wrote: »

Not by me. He let me down badly recently, promising a repair to a boot by a date agreed. When I went back to collect them he hadn't even looked at them.
Luckily the guy in Bray did the job the same day.

You are the exception . Happy Christmas.

bobwilliams · 24-12-2013 1:10am

loobylou wrote: »

Not by me. He let me down badly recently, promising a repair to a boot by a date agreed. When I went back to collect them he hadn't even looked at them.
Luckily the guy in Bray did the job the same day.

never let me down once

Fiveplusone · 24-12-2013 1:46am

Never let me down either since he opened the business in Greystones

pixbyjohn · 24-12-2013 11:48am

Pat Giffney, Cobbler (4) by pixbyjohn , on Flickr

bobwilliams · 24-12-2013 12:31pm

he certainly was one of the 'goodfellas',check out the poster behind him

The Real B-man · 24-12-2013 1:21pm

Happy Retirement Pat!, Is there anything occupying the Ormonde Building now Besides the Funeral Parlour?

Banta · 24-12-2013 5:31pm

The Real B-man wrote: »

Happy Retirement Pat!, Is there anything occupying the Ormonde Building now Besides the Funeral Parlour?

Just memories.

gibbon6 · 25-12-2013 9:46pm

The end of a era. Pat is a really nice man who will be missed.

Maudi · 26-12-2013 12:45am

gibbon6 wrote: »

The end of a era. Pat is a really nice man who will be missed.

Wouldnt the old cinema be a great spot for mc.donalds?? Rather than the entrance road for the town .beside schools..etc

bobwilliams · 26-12-2013 12:51am

ok then.................yes it would

Annasopra · 26-12-2013 12:53am

Maudi - did you Not fix the duplicate posting issue

stanley1980 · 26-12-2013 1:35am

Maudi wrote: »

Wouldnt the old cinema be a great spot for mc.donalds?? Rather than the entrance road for the town .beside schools..etc

Isn't The Ormonde between two primary schools (St. Patrick's & St. Kevin's) ? Plus I could think of better uses than a McDonald's! I do take your point though- the building is unique and surely has lot of potential.

fat-tony · 26-12-2013 12:37pm

mango salsa wrote: »

Maudi - did you Not fix the duplicate posting issue

I don't think so, don't think so, don't think so... is there an app for that?

FirstIn · 26-12-2013 4:03pm

We normally get three posts. So we're moving in the right direction.

JanneG · 26-12-2013 6:05pm

FirstIn wrote: »

We normally get three posts. So we're moving in the right direction.

Quantity doesn't always beat quality...

Honestly! · 31-12-2013 7:47pm

Pat's a real gent, had great talks with him. His horse tips were horses**t but I really hope he enjoys retirement.

Given the great value and generosity, I'd doubt Pat's as well-heeled as our shoes but I'll be back on my feet now with this sole destroying news...TAXI!!

sinkadinka · 05-01-2014 11:47pm

He was a gentleman and will be sorely missed. I brought my daughters Irish dancing pumps to him and he refused to let me pay him, he wouldn't take money for kids shoes. He was a real gem and I wish him all the best.