PHOTOS New Cannock’s book by Frances Twomey looks back on 90 years of history while fundraising for MND patients in Limerick

Limerick historian Frances Twomey launched her new book ‘Cannocks’ looking back on 90 years of the company’s social and economic impact and will raise funds to support Motor Neuron Disease patients in Limerick. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

Frances Twomey released a book looking back on the history of Cannock’s department store, raising funds for Motor neuron disease patients in Limerick

‘Cannocks, A Social and Economic History of the Limerick Company 1840-1930’, a new book by historian and author, Frances Twomey, looks at the impact the department store had on Limerick’s society and economy for 90 years as a major part of the city’s retail landscape.

Originally written as a thesis in 1981, Twomey’s research has grown into a detailed account of the people, industry, and economic forces that shaped Limerick and the Mid-West region during the time.

Frances Twomey told I Love Limerick, “My granddaughter was at me to have it published. I wrote it in 1981, it was a thesis then, but it started growing legs and more legs. Then it developed into the history of Cannocks; my former history lecturer, who was wonderful, encouraged me to go and look for the records and do it.”

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

advertisement
advertisement

Frances explains the publishing of the book is self-funded, allowing the author to ensure the funds raised from the book go directly to a cause which is close to her heart, helping local patients living with Motor neuron disease, she said, “My husband was a limerick patient. We’re paying for the publication ourselves and all the money goes to patients.”

The book delves into the lives and industries surrounding Cannocks, highlighting its role as a significant employer in the late 19th century.  At its peak around 1890, Cannocks employed some 300 people, and the book sheds light on how the agricultural economy impacted wages and working conditions for its staff.

She said, “Dr Matthew Potter felt I should publish a theme now rather than have the sources lost. It’s a history of the wonderful store, and the contribution it made to the Midwest for 140 years. It’s contributing to or responsible for the setting up of the Dublin Arnott’s, the Dublin Cleary’s and now O’Mahony’s. It just played a huge part in the social and commercial life of Limerick.”

Speaking about the work Frances Twomey has put into the book, owner of O’Mahony’s, Frank O’Mahony, said the author had “done a magnificent job of work”. In his introduction, Mr O’Mahony spoke about the impact Cannock’s had on his own life, remembering stories of his grandfather who worked there as a manager and “was looking for promotion to be the boss of Cannock’s which he didn’t get”.

Frank O’Mahony said, “I believe he left in a fit of pique and opened up a small shop here, which used to be as far as about the fire exit is there, only about 25 feet or something like this and hence our company was founded.”

Mayor of Limerick, John Moran said at the launch, “A city like Limerick is about the present, but it’s very much about the past as well. That’s what makes the difference, between a city that we know and love so much and just a green field on which people build houses, is actually collecting that history and also recording it and building on it.

Fellow historian, Dr Paul O’Brien posted on social media from the event saying, “Wonderful turnout tonight for the launch of Frances Twomey’s book on Cannock’s. An important and timely record of a landmark business in Limerick hosted in O’Mahony’s.”

All About Cannocks is available now and provides a rich account of Limerick’s history while raising funds to support  MND patients in Limerick.

Pictures: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick