WATCH/GALLERY: Nally family celebrate 50 years at Rochforts

(Above) The Nally family at the charity event on Saturday: from left, Avril and Elizabeth Kelly; Karl and Dawn Maher, Fiona Nally, Chloe Murtagh, Eimear Nally, Tommy and Sheila Nally, Tomás and Niamh Nally and Ewan Kelly.

The shop where it says Rochforts above the door, and which locals know as Nally’s, was fairly buzzing on Saturday as the Nally family celebrated a half century of doing business there.

Tomás Nally said: “Thank you to everyone who came and supported our fundraiser. We met so many old friends, made new ones and met some very very special people.

“We know it was a different day perhaps than we are used to, given all our new ways of being around each other – and we thank you for your patience with all the new guidelines – but it definitely didn’t take away from the atmosphere and great feeling in and around the shop all day.”

The Nallys also expressed their gratitude to Down Syndrome Ireland and the Longford Westmeath branch in particular, and to Midlands Radio 103, which hosted an outside broadcast at Rochforts on Saturday.

All Occasions Balloons provided a colourful display, and Derek Sheridan had a bouncy castle there to keep the younger visitors happy.

Mr Nally added thanks “to all our loyal customers, neighbours and friends who popped in to say hello and who generously donated”.

“We are blown away by how good people are. Today was a day of giving thanks and we can’t say it enough.

“The last 50 years have been possible due to the support we have received and we will always be thankful for that and for you all.”