Boherbee: a thriving part of Tralee’s retail scene

IT’S one of the oldest parts of Tralee town and yet it continues to reinforce its reputation as a great place for local businesses to prosper. Boherbee has always had a self-directing feel when it comes to doing business where services from Upper Castle Street to the Horan Centre and Clash Cross cover a wide range of business types.

This mini retail hub incorporates everything from large retail supermarkets, shops, pubs, off licence, fast food outlets, opticians, furniture stores, bakers, car sales, and florists, to name but a few.

Proud intergenerational links in family business are also a prominent feature of everyday life in Boherbee. The likes of O’Donoghue’s Pharmacy, The Ballymac Bar, Roger Harty Opticians, and O’Mahony’s Bakery - all of whom have been trading in Boherbee for many decades.

Margaret O’Mahony said the bakery has served the people of Boherbee and Tralee for over 50 years and she described Boherbee as ‘a lovely place to run a business’.

“It really is and we appreciate the loyalty from our customers down through the years,” Margaret said.

“My daughter Carol and son Brendan are the third generation of the family to run the bakery and its location ensures a steady flow of customers throughout the day. We also have a great team of staff and while Christmas is a busy time, it’s also one of the nicest times in the year to work in the bakery,” Margaret added.

Leona Fitzmaurice of Every Occasion Florist in Boherbee recently moved to a new shop in lower Boherbee as she needed a larger premises. Leona said she loves the sense of familiarity that comes with doing business in Boherbee, while a steady flow of people and ease of parking are other advantages. Leona recently took part in the Irish Lonely Bouquet initiative when she placed bouquets around Tralee adding some anonymous cheer and goodwill to people’s lives.

“We know all the locals here and this really adds that extra dimension to doing business in Boherbee,” said Leona.

“I recently needed a bigger premises but there was no way I was going to leave the street, which is why we moved further down. There’s great community spirit and friendliness here and when I first set up my business over 12 years ago everyone was just so nice. It’s a home away from home for me,” Leona said.

Margaret O’Mahony, Carol O’Mahony, Louise Farrell, Mary Flaherty, Brendan O’Mahony and Claire O’Mahony of O’Mahony’s Bakery.

Every Occasion Florist Leona Fitzmaurice.