Tyrone’s lost shops: MyTyrone readers share their memories of stores from years gone by

Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia, few more so than the people of Co Tyrone.

Over the years the county has lost many businesses that those from across the county will remember.

We asked followers of MyTyrone to jog their memories of some of those most nostalgic shops from over the years.

Here’s some of the most popular answers that we got:

Patrick McGrath’s, Killen

Patrick McGrath's shop in Killen before its demolition (Clonoe Gallery)

Now the site of a new housing development, those from Killen will have fond memories of going into Patrick McGrath's shop.

Patrick and sister Philomena managed the shop, where those in the local area would head for their weekly shopping.

Woolworths

Woolworths in Dungannon (Philip Dynes)

Many towns across Northern Ireland had their own Woolworths and Wellworths, including Dungannon and Omagh.

Everything could be got but many will remember the pick'n'mix section the best.

The chain closed its doors across the county in the late 2000s.

The Cabin, Cookstown

A rush at the door of The Cabin in Cookstown (Sean John Frazer)

This sweet shop was much loved among Cookstown folk, for those looking for their sweet treat fix.

The photo above shows a line up of children waiting to get into the shop as the sale of chocolate and other treats was allowed again following rationing in WWII.

O’Doherty’s, Mountjoy

The old O'Doherty's shop in Mountjoy (Friends of the Glen)

This Mountjoy favourite will hold many memories for those in the area, with its hardware and all sorts of products proving popular for decades.

As one reader commented about O'Doherty's motto at the time -"If you need it, we've got it. If we haven't got it , you don't need it."

The Golden Griddle, Omagh

The Golden Griddle was one of the top spots in the Co Tyrone town for a bite to eat back in the day, but as one reader commented, you would have been lucky to get a table most days.

"My god you were honoured if you got a booth as it was mental busy....the chips were unreal."

Unfortunately the business was forced to close in the 1980s but Omagh folk still hold fond memories of the place.

We got hundreds of comments from readers reminiscing on the old shops they remember. While we couldn't include them all here, here's a few others that were remembered by plenty of Co Tyrone people:

• Hamilton’s Walk Around Store
• Mooney’s sweet shop, Dungannon
• McVeigh’s Parkview,
• Coulters, Campsie
• The Diamond, Ardboe
• Gallagher’s Ice Cream, Omagh
• Maggie Pat’s, Carrickmore
• Poots Chip Shop, Cookstown

Got any photos of these old Co Tyrone shops? Get in touch via our Facebook page.