Roundfort Stores closes in South Mayo

Roundfort Stores closes down in South Mayo


Michael Commins

ROUNDFORT Stores closes its doors last Friday. News of the closure came as a major surprise to people in this rural heartland of South Mayo. It is understood the decision was taken due to the major downtown in the Irish economic climate in the past three years.
Roundfort Stores has been operated by Kieran and Marguerite Ferriter for the past twelve years or so. Kieran is a native of Co Kerry and Marguerite was formerly Costello from Robeen. They purchased the business from locals Noel and Phil Hughes. Prior to that, the business was in the Langan family for decades.
The business comprised of a fine supermarket as well as an extensive yard for farm supplies. Located in the heart of one of the best farming areas of Mayo, demand for supplies and foodstuffs was always high. The Ferriter family business was also a major sponsor of the Garrymore GAA Club in recent years.
“The closure of Roundfort Stores is a huge loss to their area,” said a neighbour yesterday (Monday). “It is always sad to see a family business closing down. There is also the loss of a good number of part-time jobs as well.
“I suppose it is fair to say that, like so many other shops and family run businesses, it became a victim of the arrival of the multi-national stores in Claremorris and Ballinrobe in recent times. They Ferriter family had a great shop here in Roundfort and ran a very fine farm supplies business as well. This business was at the heart of the community here and there is a lot of regret with the news that it has closed down.”