Death of renowned Athboy men's shop owner, Pat McElhinney
The death occurred this morning (Thursday) of one of the county's best known business people, Pat McElhinney of Otterstown, Athboy, proprietor of fashion store, McElhinney’s for Men.
He died peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, aged 83.
The McElhinney name is synonymous with fashion in Athboy, with Pat's late mother, Molly, having set up an iconic store. Pat had had served his time with businesses in Cavan, Wexford, and in Arnotts of Dublin, before returning to the family business.
The store was then located where McElhinney’s for Men is now situated, and as it grew, his mother decided to expand the ladies’ fashion business, moving up the street in 1962. That marked the beginning of Pat McElhinney’s menswear business.
In the early years, Pat and his wife, Catherine McLaughlin from Ballivor, whom he married in 1968, lived over the business, before building their own home outside the town, where they lived with their sons, George, Joseph, Padraic and Rory.
Over the next half century, McElhinney’s for Men became the first port of call for anybody seeking out the latest in sartorial elegance, with a selection of suits and more casual wear, as well as the more formal wear for the big events.
Pat was also known for his sporting and community involvement. He won five Jubilee Cup county senior hurling medals with Athboy during their glory period of the late '60s and early 1970s, captaining the team in 1972, the last time they won, and later sponsored the county hurler of the year for many years.
When the Meath footballers reached All-Ireland finals in the late 1980s, McElhinney’s for Men sponsored the team suits, turning the county's players out to look their splendid best.
Pat was also chairman of Meath Sheltered Workshop, the forerunner to Meath Rehab (now Prosper Meath), and quietly did much work behind the scenes for many deserving people and charity organisations.
Predeceased by his parents, George and Molly; brother, Mossie, and sister, Mary Sweeney, Pat is survived by his wife, Catherine; family, George, Joe, Padraic and Rory; grandchildren; sisters, Doreen and Louise, brother Jack, extended family and many friends.
His remains will repose at Mullen's Funeral Home, Athboy, on Saturday from 2pm to 6pm, with a Funeral Mass on Sunday at 11.30am in St. James’ Church, Athboy, followed by burial in St. James’ Cemetery.