Sadness around Enniscorthy following passing of publican Phyllis McDonald

TRIBUTES are being paid to Enniscorthy publican, Phyllis McDonald, following her recent passing.

Among the people and organisations who paid tribute to her was Enniscorthy & District Chamber which issued a statement highlighting the high regard in which she was held within the community in Enniscorthy.

“It was with great sadness Enniscorthy & District Chamber of Commerce learned of the recent passing of Phyllis McDonald, Slaney Street,” said the CEO of the organisation, Jimmy Gahan, in a statement on its behalf.

“Phyllis represented the last of the town’s old style traders and her passing will be mourned by all who frequented her licenced premises down through the years,” he said.

“Never one to seek the limelight, Phyllis conducted her business in her own inimitable way which found great favour with young people, in particular, and with visitors to Enniscorthy, in general,” he added.

Mr Gahan highlighted how Phyllis shunned the modern approach to business in favour of the old traditional approach where the personal concerns of customers took precedence over all other matters.

“Though old in terms of tradition, Phyllis was young at heart and she enjoyed nothing more than engaging in conversation with young people who frequented her hostelry in large numbers,” said Mr Gahan.

“Her passing marks the end of an era for the licenced trade in Enniscorthy where the name McDonald came to symbolise all that is good in terms of quality and decency in a fast changing world,” she added.

“May the soil of her native Camolin rest gently upon her.”

Cllr Jackser Owens also paid tribute to her and noted how her pub was affectionately known by most people who knew her well as ‘Mrs Macs’.

“She was a long time in business and she was a lovely lady who had great time for everybody,” said Cllr Owens.

"She was always friendly and liked chatting with people of every age,” he added. He said her pub, McDonalds, in Slaney Street was synonymous with the town and is “a landmark business in the town”.

The Cathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, Cllr Aidan Browne, also paid tribute to Phyllis and said her pub was synonymous with the town and was very popular with people of all ages.

He extended sympathies to the bereaved and said it was an end of an era for the town.