The Old Hardware is a community-run shop and tearoom based in Narraghmore, Co Kildare.
It opened in July 2019 after months of planning and hard work from the Narraghmore Development CLG and community members.
With the support of government’s Town & Village Renewal Scheme and Kildare County Council, the Narraghmore Development CLG have transformed the former village Hardware Store, which closed in 2005, into a village shop and tearoom. The project became even more critical with the closure of the Narraghmore Post Office and shop in October 2018, so the new shop and tearoom provides a much needed meeting place for local residents.
The project also provides an outlet and working area for home / micro enterprises – therefore, we would welcome any local suppliers or producers to get in touch. There are also plans to provide regular community events and activities in the new building.
The project was also supported by local businesses and tradespeople who donated their skills and expertise, as well as local community members who fundraised to cover the gap in grant funding.
What People Say
Great place, lovely range of handmade crafts. Lovely coffee shop with delish cakes, scones. Well worth a visit.
Elaine K
Great place to relax over a coffee & scone. The staff are lovely & friendly, sure what more could you ask for.
Carmel L
Friendly atmosphere, fab coffee – always a lovely experience!
Joanna S
A Special Thanks To…
Paddy O’Conor and all the team from Propad Developmemts who worked so hard transforming the building into the wonderful space it is now. Paddy and his team were always a pleasure to work with and they went above and beyond on this project.
Ivan Howard Painting & Decorating who did such as fantastic decorating job (and the orange doors were not easy!). Ivan also provided his time & materials free of charge for the interior of the building and often maintains many of our other community buildings in the village – most appreciated!
Des Coppins, Country Kitchens who very kindly provided the lovely kitchen units.
To all our local business sponsors who provided financial contributions towards our fundraising efforts;
- Ian Valentine of Kilrush Airfield,
- Tim Pullen of Cloudtech,
- Helen & Adrian Behan of Hardware Heaven
- Seamus & Anne O’Reilly of Crookstown Service Station
- Angela & Keith Ennis of Ennis Bros Electrical
Maryclare McMahon and the cast of ‘The Maiden Aunt’ who put on such a wonderfully entertaining and successful show. This wasn’t just a major success on a fundraising level but also on an entertainment level – it was just fantastic to see so many of our community attending the sell out nights!
The project was also facilitated by building owner and local publican Melanie Treacy who provided a long term lease on the building and contributed a 5 year rent free period to help the project get off the ground.
Finally to all the community who have got behind this project either by way of financial donations, volunteering or generally helping out to get this project up and running.
About Narraghmore Development CLG
The Narraghmore Development CLG (formerly Narraghmore Development Association) was established in 2011 with the aim of bringing life back into the village of Narraghmore and creating an atmosphere of community for it’s residents.
The Narraghmore Development CLG has led an impressive transformation of the village and oversees a variety of hardworking voluntary groups such as Biodiversity & Tidy Towns Group, The Old Hardware and the newly formed Sustainability Group.
The main objective of Narraghmore Development CLG is to benefit the community of Narraghmore and surrounding areas and contribute to the enhancement of outcomes for children, young people, families and older people living in the Narraghmore area. We do this by:
- managing and promoting community participation and volunteerism in tidy towns efforts, community events and community development initiatives
- leading the development and management of community spaces including outdoor recreation spaces, village landscapes and the indoor community facilities of The Bandhall and The Old Hardware Shop & Tearoom
- organising and/or supporting of community and village events
- gathering information on local resources and needs through public meetings, engagement with local businesses and communicating with public partners (Kildare County Council, Local Councillors, Funding Bodies etc.)
- coordinating and mobilising resources needed to achieve community progress
- promoting and fostering a community spirit and informed common interest by communicating with and involving local residents, businesses, and private, public and voluntary partners through production and distribution of newsletter and social media communications
- maintaining community website and events calendar