‘This is not great for our town’
DISAPPOINTMENT hung in the air across Enniscorthy as news broke last Thursday of the liquidation of the Echo group, ending 115 years of tradition in the town.
The loss of The Echo is a huge blow for Enniscorthy, according to Eric Barron of Barron’s Menswear.
He said ‘it was a sad day for The Echo and Enniscorthy’ as the paper was ‘ born, bred and reared’ here and had a great following from loyal readers.
Over in Smyth’s Arro, owner Dermot Kavanagh was in shock to hear the news and hopes someone will buy the company as ‘it is not nice to see 30 people lose their jobs.’
John O’Leary of Frizelle, O’Leary & Co Solicitors feels very optimistic that The Echo will prosper again.
Mr O’Leary said: ‘ The Echo is a part of the fabric of Enniscorthy since 1902. It is very disappointing to hear what has happened but we have to be positive. I trust that the liquidators will find a buyer, as they have on two previous occasions.’
Mark Wickham of Wickham Bros butchers feels social media and the internet had a role to play in the loss of the local newspaper.
Mr Wickham said: ‘ I am completely shocked, wasn’t expecting that at all. But very few people have an hour to sit down and read the newspaper anymore, all they have to do is scan the internet for the latest headlines.’
Meanwhile, many devoted readers spoke of their devastation when they heard the company went into liquidation and the paper they regularly buy would not be out today (June 4).
Ita Larkin from Enniscorthy felt for those who unexpectedly lost their jobs and said the town itself is already on its knees and ‘ this was the last thing we needed.’
Kit Larkin from Enniscorthy said: ‘What shocks me the most is the fact the staff were not notified until the day. I remember buying The Echo with two old pennies for my father. I can’t imagine not having it around anymore.’
The situation is dreadful to Des Killeen from Slaney Street who said The Echo provided him with great information from around the district and will miss his go-to paper for local news.
Catherine Boggan from Bunclody grew up with The Echo as it has been a part of her culture since she was very young.
‘I was stunned when I heard the news break, I really feel for those who have lost their jobs and their families. It is an awful situation to be in,’ said Catherine.
‘ This is not great for our town at all, I was shocked and devastated to hear the news. I can’t believe 30 workers were let go just like that,’ said Sean Nolan from Enniscorthy.
According to Maryann Foley from Bunclody it is a sad day to see it go and it will effect a lot of older people.
Maryann said: ‘Social media definitely has a role in this. It will effect older people the most as they are shut out from what is going on, they will miss the local stories that they might not read about on national papers.’