EJ Menswear of Sligo family connection to Páidi
MARK Cunningham and his father Eamonn from EJ Menswear, an iconic men’s clothing store in Sligo, are menswear specialists well known for dressing many famous faces. The roll of honour includes UFC star Conor McGregor, former Westlife singers Shane Filan and Kian Egan, former Kerry star Kieran Donaghy, Professional boxer and former olympian Michael Conlan, Nathan Carter and Jake Carter, Bressie, Bobby Kerr and An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to name but a few.
EJ Menswear is an associate sponsor of ‘Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé but this connection goes back three generations as Mark spent many a summer holiday down in Árd a Bhóthair, Ventry in West Kerry in the house of the great Páidi Ó Sé. Mark remembers vividly peering up at Páidi’s 8 All-Ireland medals hanging on the wall of his home at the famous West Kerry crossroads, it created a long lasting impression that installed an early passion for the GAA and the religion that is Kerry football.
Mark commented, “My grandmother on my mum Eileen’s side of the family was a sister of Páidi’s mother Beatrice. We have always been extremely proud of the Kerry connection and we all have great memories of trips down to Ventry, especially during the summer of 1997 when Páidi guided Kerry to All Ireland success over Mayo. It was a long trip on the roads 20 years ago, but it was always worth the journey!!!”
The Cunninghams will be down in force for the 30th anniversary of Páidi’s famed football festival. Mark continued, “we are delighted to continue a family connection. My own club St. John’s competed for three years in the tournament and it really is the best of what the GAA is about. The buzz around Páidi Ó Sé’s pub and Ventry for the weekend is unbelievable, it is without doubt one of the best weekends any GAA team could start the year on. EJ Menswear is delighted to be a major sponsor of the tournament on its 30th anniversary and we hope to be involved for many years to come. Visit www.ejmenswear. com for all your suit and casual clothing needs.