This is a blog I started writing a few weeks ago in the lead up to Christmas but never got time to finish!It is New Year’s Eve now as I finish this off and I feel a bit silly posting something a few weeks old.Thankfully it has been a busy few weeks although I have to say it was a little unusual from a retailer’s perspective.A lot of the shoppers from the regional counties like Waterford,Tipperary and Kerry were absent due to the flooding and persistent rain.The local shoppers who braved the elements were definitely in to spend and this was very evident during the sales when there is normally more browsing done.The rain was probably the reason for this as people were reluctant to leave the warm,dry interior of number 58.The usual share of local celebrities were in for their Christmas clobber and a special mention goes out to the O Hailpin clan and Sean Og in particular as he prepares for his upcoming wedding.Lovely lads the lot of them but hard to find suits to fit Setanta and Aiseke!

This little piece has now turned into a bit of a New Year finale from all of us in here.I am out of here as early as possible as we are travelling to West Cork but the rest of the gang should be here until the end of the day.There are lots of tuxedos still to be collected so try not top leave it too late as the lads are trying to get out of here early.

We would all like to take this oppurtunity to thank all our customers and wish them a happy new year.Roll on 2016 and even bigger and better things!

“Pre- Christmas Blog”

Perched up on our wedding suits floor and looking out through our 150 year old Georgian windows I am really sensing that the pace is about to really pick up for Christmas. The carol singers are serenading  the early morning shoppers from different sides of the street with their jingly tunes. The share boys and girls are fervently rattling their yellow share boxes and shouting ‘support share’ and the loading bays are packed with big lorries delivering the last of the Christmas orders to the traders.

Up until now it hasn’t been the bumper lead up to Christmas that a lot of retailers have been expecting. The weather hasn’t helped and there were two important Saturdays that did not get going due to the excessive wind and rain. Hopefully from today the shackles will come off the shoppers and the proximily of Christmas itself will make them indifferent to the inclement conditions.

As to ourselves inside here we have been our usual busy selves over the last few weeks. We have lots of last minute things to get organised for all the wedding parties that are collecting their suits this week. Some of the weddings take place after Christmas but it is easier on all concerned if the suits are given out as early as possible. The shirts and jumper brigade are starting to arrive in in their droves now. At this time of year a jumper and shirt makes a nice safe and reliable present for the husband, father, boyfriend or such likes. Unfortunately due to the mildness of the weather there will be a great amount of scarves, overcoats and heavy jumpers heading with us into the sale. On the bright side we are still selling suits right through the festive season and lots of Conor McGregor lookalikes have been purchasing tweed and check suits. It certainly is a most wonderful time of year for the retailer as people are propelled into shopping frenzy mode as the big day draws closer.

The Tom Murphy Boys Out on the Town

After much planning and discussing about prospective venues , the Tom Murphy staff night out took place last Saturday on a cold , wet , windy night in the city centre. The chosen location was the Cornstore and after the civilized ritual of the meal was dispensed with , the real party began.
As always , the oldest member of the team , Tom Crowley , had to bne first up to the bar to get his round in. He kind of forces you to take a drink off him and its not a good idea to say no to Tom.
At 5’1″, he might not be physically very intimidating but once he speaks he has the tendency to make you freeze on the spot with fear , so if he tells you that you are having a drink , you better not decline!
As always , Caoimh was the team leader when it came to motivating everybody to keep the fires of the party burning brightly.When he is out on the town he is like a child , giddy with excitement as he plans each and every move for the entourage.
The two part timers Kevin and David had mixed fortunes on the night. Kev was beaming from ear to ear as he got his first proper meal in ages (he has recently migrated to Dublin to live in student digs) and he got a couple of nice compliments about his hair. Someone even told him that he looks like Russell Brand and he was chuffed at that.
The night started out poorly for Dave as he apparently got into an argument with Tom Murphy over matters architectural. For those of you who do not know , Dave is helping Tom design his house and Tom has been the bane of Dave’s life with constant changes of mind and requests for modified drawings etc. Tom got the hump with Dave on the night in question but Dave was riled up and ready for more. Leaving the scene f his first skirmish , he took on a much tougher challenge in the guise of an undesirable gurrier on the street. In fact , the said undesirable was accompanied by a few of his mates and even they were surprised by his how of braziness. They soon backed off when they saw the other member of our team emerge from the shadows , the incredible hulk of a man that is Peter Philpott.Like a police officer with presence and guile , Peter asked ‘was everything okay?’ and the scuts disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Sensible as he is , Peter called it a night at 11.30. With Tom, Dermot and Peter all gone ,the touring party was down to four in number. However , the best four were left to keep the flag flying and Caoimh played host to a superb after hours party!