Old Macra hall was a central part of life in Offaly village
Reporter:
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I was born in 1974 to Josephine and Michael McEnroe the local publicans of the only pub in the village, Grennans being the current proprietors. It was my grandmother, Ellen Corcoran who was left the pub as she was the eldest of four girls and my grandfather, Michael McEnroe married into the pub life. He was originally from Maudbawn, Cotehill, County Cavan and was a travelling salesman for P. & H. Egan.
He would spend many days away travelling while my grandmother looked after the business. They had nine children, Máirín, John, Nancy, Pat, Sheila, Eileen, Peg, Owen and my dad, Michael. My Dad eventually took over the running of the pub as all his siblings had fled the nest except for his sister Eileen who would always encourage her lovely friend to call in on her home from Edenderry where she worked. This lady eventually became my mother, Josephine Culliton who hailed from Rearymore, Rosenallis, Co. Lao