If the shoe fits - plans for book on Clark’s

THE owner of the Clark’s shoe store in the Marshes Shopping Centre is writing a people’s history of the two major footwear factories in Dundalk, where her mum and late dad met and married, and she needs your help.

Irene Dunne, whose mum Kathleen and late father, Dessie, met in Clark’s while working there, has undertaken a huge project to record in a book the memories of the thousands of people who worked in the Clark’s and Halliday factories from the 1930s to the 1980s.

Irene was prompted after hearing stories from people who come to the store, which was started by her dad. She said: ‘It seemed like a shame not to record them in some way before they are lost’.

Already, she has interviewed a number of people and has begun to capture the unique camaraderie of the factories, which, at the height of the industry, employed thousands of people from Dundalk and the surrounding area.

Irene said: ‘Lots of people have great and funny stories about working there. I have a short questionnaire which is available at the Clark’s shop and at Grant’s Newsagents in Dublin Street which will prompt people’s memories. I’m also looking for pictures as well’.

Anyone who worked in the factories or who knows someone who did is asked to contact Irene on email at shopclarks@yahoo.ie or through Facebook by searching: oldclarksfactorymemories(Dundalk).