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Julia McCann nee Keogh, with some of her sons, and daughter Kathleen taken in what was known as "Moore's field". The Stillorgan shopping Centre was build there later. Courtesy of Kate Douma Moore
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Stillorgan Shopping Centre
The Shopping Centre
The Stillorgan shopping centre was officially opened by Sean Lemass, former Taoiseach on the 1 Dec 1966.
The developers were MEPC (Ireland) Ltd (Metropolitan Estate and Property Corporation Limited). They signed
a contract with G & T Crampton the builders in May 1965 and the expected cost was £1 million. It was
designed by John Costello, BA, ARIBA, who went to America in March of that year to study American shopping
centres and designed the centre as a complete self-contained unit with 2 traffic-free streets, partially under
cover which led into a central landscaped square. Parking for 600 cars, a free nursery with a nurse on duty to
care for small children and a restaurant offering meals and snacks were some of the big draws.
Augustus Kennedy Kisch was Chairman and Managing Director of MEPC, which was at this time the third
largest property company in the world having merged with Town Investments, a firm built up by his father. It
had assets of 70 million and revenue approaching 7 million with a presence in England, Canada and South Africa.
Other directors included R H Sheppard, SA Dolton and T M Williams. By July 1966 the opening date had been
pushed out from October to December, but names like Bolgers, Cassidys and Findlaters had already expressed
an interest in being tenants of this one stop shop in what was to be the most modern shopping centre in Europe.
In August 1966 the theme of the sculpture to be erected in the main square was announced as being The Fiddler
of Dooney, created by W B Yeats and MEPC had commissioned German born sculptress Imogen Stuart to carry
out the work. The five foot creation in beaten copper would also include three dancing children. Oisin Kelly
designed a six foot fountain for the centre, a series of copper plates, built by Grange Engineering in Bray but it is
not known if this was ever installed.
Augustus was born in England, graduated Cambridge with an honours degree in economics and law and was called
to the bar aged 23. He specialised in property and planning cases. He volunteered during WW2 with the Royal
Navy and served on minelayers. He moved to Ireland in the 1955 and lived at Mount John, Newtownmountkennedy
near Newcastle, County Wicklow, a Georgian House set on 61 acres. His was a keen yachtsman and kept a
Bermuda rigged sloop moored at Dun Laoghaire. His plan was to create something permanent and attractive and
it was to be built with Irish money. Friends Provident and Century Life were the biggest investors using money
from its life policy funds. The return on their 1 million investment was expected to be in the region of 40%. Before
the contract was signed they already had lettings in place for two anchor grocery stores and the build was expected
to be finished by October 1966. Osborne King and Megran were the letting agents and the list of reserved spaces
now included Roches Chemist, EBS, Bank of Ireland, Foster Wine Merchants, Doré of Dame Street and Imco.
MEPC rehoused or paid compensation to some of the tenants whose houses were to be demolished but some
tenants were still in situ as construction got underway. The site was about 9 acres and there were 34 cottages to be
demolished. MEPC had commissioned a report from the National Cash Register Company in March 1964 to look
into the potential of the site before buying the site from David Phillips of Ballyfree Farms. The survey was to
ascertain the disposable income of the catchment area (about a 5 mile radius). It was a detailed analysis looking at
wealth indicators. They looked at the number of cars, the age of cars (at this time 50% of all cars in Ireland were less
than 4 years old). The report took into account spending patterns, it also looked at the amount of telephones in the
area, as those with telephones were likely to have double the incomes of those without.
The major problem faced by MEPC in March 1966 to complete the development, was the rehousing of the remaining
cottagers. While some had found alternative accommodation, 19 cottages still remained to be demolished on both
the Kilmacud Road and the Dublin Road. Most of these were lived in by elderly people who had lived there all their
lives and were very distressed at having to leave. MEPC purchased a 3.5 acres site at Ard Lorcain and erected 19
pre fabricated chalets on the site. G & T Crampton supervised the build and put in sewers, drains and a gas and
electricity supply. The chalets were completed in 3½ months despite appalling weather in April 1966 and the
hand-over of keys happened on the 8 Jun 1966. Dublin Corporation paid MEPC for 6 of the houses and MEPC
paid for the balance. There were three types of chalets on the site, suitable for either couples, singles or families;
rent started at 6 shillings per week, the most expensive was 33 shilling a week. The chalets were said to be free
from damp and could be easily heated unlike the 200 year old cottages they had been living in. MEPC sold on the
Ard Lorcain site to Dublin Corporation at cost. 19 families were housed in the chalets and 6 families got houses
at Patrician Villas. These families were all members of the Stillorgan Tenants Association headed up by William
Tobin. Liam Cosgrave (TD and Leader of the Fine Gael Party) was on the board of directors of MEPC when the
project was first contemplated, as an ex director he acted as liaison officer between Dublin County Council and
MEPC. Apparently the tenants were so pleased with the interest taken in rehousing them that they planned a
presentation to Augustus Kennedy Kisch.
The builders of the shopping centre were G & T Cramptons, a well-established film founded in 1879. They had a
good track history of delivering on time and on price. One of their first big contracts was the building of 700
houses for The Dublin Artisans Dwelling Company at Oxmantown Road, Stoneybatter. They were involved in the
building of some of Dublin’s hospitals and hotels, and even a runway for Baldonnell but they had never worked
on a shopping centre.
The first part of the plan was to level the site, two giant earthmovers were brought in but site works were slow
due to MEPC’s lack of title on some of the site. The rubble from the site was moved to Kilmacud Crokes to infill a
valley and level a pitch. November 1965 to April 1966 was one of the wettest winters in history, drainage
problems and heavy rain turned the site into a quagmire. The build was way behind schedule and additional
manpower and overtime was the only answer to recoup lost time. By May 1966 a total of 50 contractors and 400
men were working on site and concrete was being pumped in and water pumped out daily. Although the building
was only two storey in height, it was wide and the site was sprawling. The run of drains and cable ducts was huge
and due to time restraints these now had to be installed simultaneously to the building emerging from the ground.
There was no room for error and a computer was used to work out the critical path analysis on the structural
aspects of the build and keep them on track. The emblem of The Centre was a stylised S with two coloured
discs designed to fit into the illuminated sign tower. The design was by Rolf Middelboe a textile designer with
the Kilkenny Design Workshop and executed by Annete Jerside and Jette Bronnum. It was produced on fabric
to mask the glass in the tower. The clock, made in stainless steel and black stove enamel was designed by
John Costello, the architect. Sixteen enamel steel panels were designed by David M Reeves and produced by
Curran Ltd of Clonmel. These were then bolted together and mounted in the waiting area.
The 1st of December 1966 was a bright day but rain was threatened and temperatures were set to only reach 3°.
The official opening ceremony was planned for 11:30 when former Taoiseach Sean Lemass would be introduced
by Augustus and declare The Centre open for business. Mrs Lemass had consented to unveil the sculpture by
Imogen Stuart and the Very Rev Brendan Harley was on hand to bless The Centre. A marquee was set up in
the carpark for 250 guests, in the main people who had been involved in bringing the building to completion.
The impact modelling agency provided the hostesses which included Elaine Ryder who had been crowned Miss
Mod earlier that year, Dickie Rock fresh from his Eurovision win of 1965 was at the ready to sign autographs. Iris
Lawlor and John McDarby, stars of Tolka Row were also on hand for their admirers.
The building of 110,000sq feet was complete, it had taken 18 months to build, the site now stretched over 6.5
acres and the cost was £1 Million. 85% of the space had been let to tenants* and they were open for business.
The rents ranged from £710 to £1560 per annum.
CONTRIBUTORS © June Bow & Karen Poff
DATE May 2021
*Tenants signed up by December 1966
The Stillorgan shopping centre was officially opened by Sean Lemass, former Taoiseach on the 1 Dec 1966.
The developers were MEPC (Ireland) Ltd (Metropolitan Estate and Property Corporation Limited). They signed
a contract with G & T Crampton the builders in May 1965 and the expected cost was £1 million. It was
designed by John Costello, BA, ARIBA, who went to America in March of that year to study American shopping
centres and designed the centre as a complete self-contained unit with 2 traffic-free streets, partially under
cover which led into a central landscaped square. Parking for 600 cars, a free nursery with a nurse on duty to
care for small children and a restaurant offering meals and snacks were some of the big draws.
Augustus Kennedy Kisch was Chairman and Managing Director of MEPC, which was at this time the third
largest property company in the world having merged with Town Investments, a firm built up by his father. It
had assets of 70 million and revenue approaching 7 million with a presence in England, Canada and South Africa.
Other directors included R H Sheppard, SA Dolton and T M Williams. By July 1966 the opening date had been
pushed out from October to December, but names like Bolgers, Cassidys and Findlaters had already expressed
an interest in being tenants of this one stop shop in what was to be the most modern shopping centre in Europe.
In August 1966 the theme of the sculpture to be erected in the main square was announced as being The Fiddler
of Dooney, created by W B Yeats and MEPC had commissioned German born sculptress Imogen Stuart to carry
out the work. The five foot creation in beaten copper would also include three dancing children. Oisin Kelly
designed a six foot fountain for the centre, a series of copper plates, built by Grange Engineering in Bray but it is
not known if this was ever installed.
Augustus was born in England, graduated Cambridge with an honours degree in economics and law and was called
to the bar aged 23. He specialised in property and planning cases. He volunteered during WW2 with the Royal
Navy and served on minelayers. He moved to Ireland in the 1955 and lived at Mount John, Newtownmountkennedy
near Newcastle, County Wicklow, a Georgian House set on 61 acres. His was a keen yachtsman and kept a
Bermuda rigged sloop moored at Dun Laoghaire. His plan was to create something permanent and attractive and
it was to be built with Irish money. Friends Provident and Century Life were the biggest investors using money
from its life policy funds. The return on their 1 million investment was expected to be in the region of 40%. Before
the contract was signed they already had lettings in place for two anchor grocery stores and the build was expected
to be finished by October 1966. Osborne King and Megran were the letting agents and the list of reserved spaces
now included Roches Chemist, EBS, Bank of Ireland, Foster Wine Merchants, Doré of Dame Street and Imco.
MEPC rehoused or paid compensation to some of the tenants whose houses were to be demolished but some
tenants were still in situ as construction got underway. The site was about 9 acres and there were 34 cottages to be
demolished. MEPC had commissioned a report from the National Cash Register Company in March 1964 to look
into the potential of the site before buying the site from David Phillips of Ballyfree Farms. The survey was to
ascertain the disposable income of the catchment area (about a 5 mile radius). It was a detailed analysis looking at
wealth indicators. They looked at the number of cars, the age of cars (at this time 50% of all cars in Ireland were less
than 4 years old). The report took into account spending patterns, it also looked at the amount of telephones in the
area, as those with telephones were likely to have double the incomes of those without.
The major problem faced by MEPC in March 1966 to complete the development, was the rehousing of the remaining
cottagers. While some had found alternative accommodation, 19 cottages still remained to be demolished on both
the Kilmacud Road and the Dublin Road. Most of these were lived in by elderly people who had lived there all their
lives and were very distressed at having to leave. MEPC purchased a 3.5 acres site at Ard Lorcain and erected 19
pre fabricated chalets on the site. G & T Crampton supervised the build and put in sewers, drains and a gas and
electricity supply. The chalets were completed in 3½ months despite appalling weather in April 1966 and the
hand-over of keys happened on the 8 Jun 1966. Dublin Corporation paid MEPC for 6 of the houses and MEPC
paid for the balance. There were three types of chalets on the site, suitable for either couples, singles or families;
rent started at 6 shillings per week, the most expensive was 33 shilling a week. The chalets were said to be free
from damp and could be easily heated unlike the 200 year old cottages they had been living in. MEPC sold on the
Ard Lorcain site to Dublin Corporation at cost. 19 families were housed in the chalets and 6 families got houses
at Patrician Villas. These families were all members of the Stillorgan Tenants Association headed up by William
Tobin. Liam Cosgrave (TD and Leader of the Fine Gael Party) was on the board of directors of MEPC when the
project was first contemplated, as an ex director he acted as liaison officer between Dublin County Council and
MEPC. Apparently the tenants were so pleased with the interest taken in rehousing them that they planned a
presentation to Augustus Kennedy Kisch.
The builders of the shopping centre were G & T Cramptons, a well-established film founded in 1879. They had a
good track history of delivering on time and on price. One of their first big contracts was the building of 700
houses for The Dublin Artisans Dwelling Company at Oxmantown Road, Stoneybatter. They were involved in the
building of some of Dublin’s hospitals and hotels, and even a runway for Baldonnell but they had never worked
on a shopping centre.
The first part of the plan was to level the site, two giant earthmovers were brought in but site works were slow
due to MEPC’s lack of title on some of the site. The rubble from the site was moved to Kilmacud Crokes to infill a
valley and level a pitch. November 1965 to April 1966 was one of the wettest winters in history, drainage
problems and heavy rain turned the site into a quagmire. The build was way behind schedule and additional
manpower and overtime was the only answer to recoup lost time. By May 1966 a total of 50 contractors and 400
men were working on site and concrete was being pumped in and water pumped out daily. Although the building
was only two storey in height, it was wide and the site was sprawling. The run of drains and cable ducts was huge
and due to time restraints these now had to be installed simultaneously to the building emerging from the ground.
There was no room for error and a computer was used to work out the critical path analysis on the structural
aspects of the build and keep them on track. The emblem of The Centre was a stylised S with two coloured
discs designed to fit into the illuminated sign tower. The design was by Rolf Middelboe a textile designer with
the Kilkenny Design Workshop and executed by Annete Jerside and Jette Bronnum. It was produced on fabric
to mask the glass in the tower. The clock, made in stainless steel and black stove enamel was designed by
John Costello, the architect. Sixteen enamel steel panels were designed by David M Reeves and produced by
Curran Ltd of Clonmel. These were then bolted together and mounted in the waiting area.
The 1st of December 1966 was a bright day but rain was threatened and temperatures were set to only reach 3°.
The official opening ceremony was planned for 11:30 when former Taoiseach Sean Lemass would be introduced
by Augustus and declare The Centre open for business. Mrs Lemass had consented to unveil the sculpture by
Imogen Stuart and the Very Rev Brendan Harley was on hand to bless The Centre. A marquee was set up in
the carpark for 250 guests, in the main people who had been involved in bringing the building to completion.
The impact modelling agency provided the hostesses which included Elaine Ryder who had been crowned Miss
Mod earlier that year, Dickie Rock fresh from his Eurovision win of 1965 was at the ready to sign autographs. Iris
Lawlor and John McDarby, stars of Tolka Row were also on hand for their admirers.
The building of 110,000sq feet was complete, it had taken 18 months to build, the site now stretched over 6.5
acres and the cost was £1 Million. 85% of the space had been let to tenants* and they were open for business.
The rents ranged from £710 to £1560 per annum.
CONTRIBUTORS © June Bow & Karen Poff
DATE May 2021
*Tenants signed up by December 1966
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Cassidys
Liam Cullen & Sons (Butchers) Fenlons Ltd (Butchers) Alex Findlater & Co Foster Wine Merchants Quinnsworth Bolgers Stores Ltd Youghal Carpets Ltd Doré of Dame Street (Jewellers) M & G Jameson (Florists) Francis J Murray (Chemist) A La Françasie (Delicatessen) Topaze Boutique (Women’s Clothing) Boutique (Women’s Clothing) Lorna Fabrics Ltd |
Irish TV Rentals
Fullers (Ireland) Ltd Stationery & Sweets C & D Shoes Prescotts (Cleaners and Dyers) Tara Record Centre (Golden Disks) EBS Goodline Tyre Company (The Motor Shop) Blue Line Cleaners (City) Ltd Imco (Dry Cleaners) Lipton Ltd Bank Of Ireland Stillorgan Studio (Children’s Portraits) Tass Hairdressers Priority Travel Service |
Patrick Griffen, Optician
L O’Sullivan, Barber Peter Mark Hairdressing Lucky Coady (Sweepstake Tickets) Maurice for Bargains (Radio & TV Sales) Edward Nugent Co (Electrical appliances) |