Famed Mildred opened up for business in the Abbey Shopping Centre in 1973

April 2001

A LEGEND in Drogheda dining, Mildred Flynn (nee Plunkett) who established the town’s first family restaurant, passed away in the USA last week.

She opened ‘Mildred’s’ in The Abbey Shopping Centre back in 1973.

Outgoing and chatty, Mildred enjoyed meeting her customers and being part of their lives watching them meeting, dating, getting married and starting their own families, whilst during thai time dining in Mildred’s.

Mildred’s parents were from Drogheda - her father Richard Plunkett was from Hardman’s Gardens, and her mother Mary McCarthy was from Francis Street. Mildred was raised in New Jersey and married an Irish American, Francis Flynn. They had five children - Bridget, Mary Anne, John, Kate and Eileen.

Following her husband’s death Mildred moved her family home to Drogheda. Tragedy struck soon after as her youngest daughter aged nine died in an accident.

With lots of experience in sales, organisation, catering and politics in the USA, Mildred opened up a restaurant, becoming an instant hit. All the members of her family pitched in with Kate remaining in the business when Mildred returned to the States in 1977, but returned and took over again in the 1980s before going back to California, and then to New Jersey, finally moving to her daughter Mary Anne in Maine.

Very much a ‘ hands on’ business woman, Mildred became involved in events in the town and was a former chairperson of The Drogheda traders Association. She enjoyed the annual Bonanza Festival and revelled in dressing up for occasions such as St. Patrick’s Day.