Concert of classical music
IF Peter Kirk has a fishy tale or two to tell about his three decades selling fish off his cart in Ardee, he’s certainly keeping them under his cap!
Loyalty to his customers has been the cornerstone to his 33-year career, and as he hangs up his apron for the last time, he says their changing tastes have kept him on his toes.
‘ The customers have been unbelievable over the years, really great,’ says the Clogherhead man, who sold his freshly caught fish in Main Street, Ardee since 1985.
‘My very first customer that I ever had, Ruth Kierans, came down to wish me a happy retirement, and she was a really great customer over the years. She bought everything from me!’
Peter began working on the trawlers from Port Oriel at 17 years of age, following his father into the business.
‘My dad, Cllr John Kirk, sold fish with the Kirwans off the cart at the Tholsel,’ he recalls.
‘ The trawlers weren’t so bad, it was hard work, catching mainly prawns out in all weathers, but you were always home in time for tea.’
It was Peter’s brother Seamus who started the cart in Ardee, and he decided he would also give it a go.
‘I had always thought about it, and it seemed the next natural step after the boats,’ he adds.
I thoroughly enjoyed it over the years, especially working with the people, and my daughter Roisin who helped me out in the last while, but the hours have been getting longer and the winters harder, so it’s time to call it a day.’
So how have tastes changed over the three decades Peter has been selling fish and seafood?
‘Well, we’ve all gone very highfalutin and I sell a lot more salmon, sea bass and monkfish now, where it used to be cod and mackerel,’ he says with a laugh.
‘I do find Irish people have got a lot more adventurous since I started, but I found it harder to compete with the big boys in the supermarkets when it came to price.’
At just 56, it’s an early retirement for Peter, and he is weighing up his options about what to do with all his spare time.
‘I’ll take a week off and see what I want to do next as I’m not one to sit around and do nothing,’ he says.
‘I’ve had some offers of interest, so maybe someone else will take over the cart and I can train them in, and just sit back and take some of the profits.’
No doubt his customers of 33 years wish Peter a whale of a time during his well-earned rest and he has earned a plaice in their hearts forever! A concert of light classical music and satirical song under the direction of Brian McIvor will be held in St. Mary’s Church of Ireland Navan on Saturday 21st April 2018, at 7.30.p.m.
All proceeds will go towards supporting children in need. Tickets including refreshments are € 15, available from Rosalind Clarke 087 2977796, Nel Jensma 087 6875938, or at the door.