Beloved Co Cork chipper Jackie Lennox to close its doors after 73 years

The beloved Co Cork chipper Jackie Lennox is to close its doors forever in the coming days after 73 years in business.

Founded in 1951 and currently owned by brother and sister, Brian and Frances Lennox, the chipper will cease trading on Sunday, October 6, with 30 jobs being lost.

In an emotional message, the owners said they hoped the chipper had "a contribution to the culture of Cork," but the closure was due to being "unable to cope with the burden" of their success.

Announcing the closure on Facebook, the Lennox siblings said: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce that Jackie Lennoxs Takeaway after 73 years will close its doors for the final time on the 6th of October.

"This may seem strange to make this decision when we are at our busiest, but time has creeped up on us and we are unable to cope with the burden of our success.

"From humble beginnings above a cobbler’s shop on the northside of the city. Eileen and John opened their present shop on Bandon Road. With the help of soccer legend and John’s teammate David Noonan and Eileen’s father Con O’ Callaghan and her brother Sean (both GAA servants) the business became a huge success."

The post continued: "John who was christened Jackie by the Cork public and Eileen raised nine children seven of whom were born above the shop. All which worked at some point in the shop over the years.

"We would like to thank our local suppliers who have always given the best and freshest of their products. To our loyal co-workers many of whom have been part of our family for many generations. It has been a privilege.

"To our loyal customers thank you so much you have been a delight to serve and will be part of us forever. Please remember us fondly and we hope that we have made in a small way a contribution to the culture of Cork."

Leading the tributes to the business on social media on Monday was the Tánaiste Micheál Martin, with the Cork native and Fianna Fáil leader branding it an "iconic institution."

"A sincere thanks to generations of the Lennox family, who have made an outstanding contribution to Cork life, and its folklore. Lennox’s takeaway personified Cork decency, with good fun.

"An iconic institution, we’ll be sad to see it close, but ever grateful to a great family," he said.

A sincere thanks to generations of the Lennox family, who have made an outstanding contribution to Cork life, and its folklore.

Lennox’s takeaway personified Cork decency, with good fun.

An iconic institution, we’ll be sad to see it close, but ever grateful to a great family.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 30, 2024

Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire added in a separate post: ‘The greatest chipper of all, an absolute institution for several cork generations. I’ve loved it since I was a child. A difficult time for the staff and their families and I hope all they get all available support."

Heartbroken to hear of the coming closure of Jackie Lennox’s.

The greatest chipper of all, an absolute institution for several cork generations. I’ve loved it since I was a child.

A difficult time for the staff and their families and I hope all they get all available support

— Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (@Donnchadhol) September 30, 2024

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.