End of an era with passing of one of Galway’s oldest citizens

The death of Julia (Juye) Freeney last week marked the passing of Galway City’s oldest publican and ended a remarkable period of longevity for residents on that side of town. Mrs Freeney would have turned 102 in November.

She was synonymous with Freeney’s on High Street, where she ran one of the most popular bars for tourists and locals alike in the heart of the city with an adjoining and fishing tackle shop since the late 1930s. Originally a Burke from Oranmore, she and her husband took over the pub from the Hernon sisters.

Martin Freeney was a rates collector and a very skilled clay pigeon shooter, representing his country in competition for at least ten years before his death in November 1960.

Herself a decent shot, Mrs Freeney was the one synonymous with the bar. She not alone ran both premises single-handedly once a widow, but she grew it into a thriving business while raising her two young children Tony and Marie – better known as Ming.

She was a very active member and a long time treasurer of the Galway Vintners’ Association, attending meetings well into her 90s. She also liked a game of cards in the pub, which attracted a loyal clientele drawn to that mix of good drink and great company.

“She was a remarkable lady. It was only in the past few years that she stopped serving behind the counter,” recalled local historian and bookseller Tom Kenny.

“She is the last in an extraordinary tradition of centenarians on the street.”

These included Philip Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Bar across from Freeneys, who lived to be 103; Mrs Lynskey of Lynskeys tea shop on Bridge Street – beside what is now Supermac’s – who reached a century; Martin Kelly who was famous for his bacon in Kelly’s grocery was 102; Eileen Carr who had Carr’s Paints where Supermac’s now trades had turned 101.

Kitty Kelly of Bowling Green has just turned 102 years young!

Mrs Freeney lived her whole life on High Street before she took ill some years ago and moved in with her with daughter in Co Offaly. In recent times she was cared for in the Mystical Rose Nursing Home in Claregalway.

She returned to High Street to celebrate reaching a century, with a big family party to mark the occasion, with even the Taoiseach Enda Kenny dropping by to give congratulations.

Her funeral cortege was marked by a guard of honour by members of the Vintners’ Association. As well as her son and daughter, she is survived by her sister Anne Kelly, of  Ballinacourty, Maree, and six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Following requiem mass at St Augustine’s Church, she was buried in the New Cemetery in Bohermore.