One of Galway’s longest running and best loved stores is closing its doors after 93 years in business.
There has been an outpouring of surprise and sadness in Galway city that the family run Ward’s store is shutting up shop today with some locals describing it as a “Galway institution” and a “mainstay” of student life.
Three generations of the Ward family have run the business since 1931.
The store, located on University Road, announced its closure this week with a simple notice on the window to say “it is time for a rest”.
It read: “After three generations and three families raised, we are closing on 24 May.”
In a bid farewell to customers, the owner Joe Ward expressed his gratitude with a “go raibh míle míle maith agaibh”.
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Ward’s was well known for its deli and the queues outside were a regular sight at lunchtime, with large numbers of students from nearby University of Galway and workers at University Hospital Galway being regular customers.
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of University of Galway, said people would traditionally have gone to Ward’s for sandwiches, tea, newspapers and conversations also.
“Galway will be the poorer for it,” he said adding that the family store will also be remembered for serving “so many students”.
Bríd Carr, who worked in the university for over 40 years, said it was an “iconic” place to have a coffee while student Gunjan Shah, said he had been recommended to visit Ward’s by locals when he arrived in Galway.
He has particularly enjoyed indulging in their falafel wraps. “It is disheartening to see it close,” he said.
Brigid Christofides, originally from Co Sligo, said she has memories of Ward’s that date back to the 1960s and it was always very important to locals. She said life won’t be the same without it.
“It just won’t be the same. The street won’t be the same.”
She said the Ward’s were an integral part of peoples’ lives and they will be greatly missed.
One local resident said people would traditionally have gone to Wards for sandwiches, tea, newspapers and conversations also.
“Galway will be the poorer for it,” he said adding that the family store will also be remembered for serving “so many students”.