Alo Donegan's in Portlaoise was founded in 1929.
An iconic shop in Laois is preparing to close its doors.
Alo Donegan's in Portlaoise was founded in 1929, with the store becoming beloved local institution passing through three generations of the same family.
In the almost one hundred years of trading, it stocked radios, televisions, fishing tackle, ammunition and telescopes.
Eamon Donegan worked there for sixty years and says it's a huge loss to the main street.
The face of Portlaoise’s Main Street is set to change forever as a local institution prepares to shut its doors. ‘Alo Donegan’s’, the beloved shop in Market Square, known for its eclectic mix of gadgets, tools, and tech, has announced it is closing down, marking the end of a business legacy that spanned nearly 100 years.
A Legacy Built on Two Wheels
The story of the shop began in 1929, when Alo Donegan—famously known as the 'Cycle King ' of Ireland established the business as a bicycle shop.
Over the decades, the store evolved alongside the town, becoming a go-to destination for everything from hunting knives and telescopes to modern electrical goods.
Following the retirement of Eamon Donegan, the business was passed down to his son, Kevin.
However, in the face of shifting consumer habits and the relentless rise of online retail, Kevin has made the difficult decision to cease operations.
The closure highlights a growing trend of declining footfall in town centres across the country.
The Changing Landscape of Portlaoise
The departure of such a landmark store has sparked a wider conversation about the viability of traditional retail in modern town centres.
Simon Walton, Director of Services with Laois County Council, acknowledged that the challenges faced by the Donegan family are reflective of a broader, national struggle.
"The nature of retail has completely changed" Walton noted, pointing to a distinct shift in town centre activity toward hospitality and personal grooming services rather than
traditional retail outlets.
Despite this, the Council remains optimistic about the future of Portlaoise.
With anestimated population now between 27,000 and 30,000"a massive increase from 12,000 in 2004"the town is expanding rapidly.
The Council’s strategy has already focused on leveraging recent investments like the redevelopment of Fitzmaurice Place, a new Laois music centre and the state-of-the-art town library.
Walton reports that town centre occupancy currently sits at 85%, and while retail is evolving, major supermarkets continue to anchor the town's economy.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
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