An Insight into the Area We Live in

Grenham’s Funeral Directors Six
Decades of Service BY BRIAN Ciepierski
Grenham’s Funeral Home is a family run business which
has been gracefully passed down from generation to
generation for the past 60 years, caring for many bereaved
families in the local community.
“Our experience and heritage is unrivalled and our personal care second to
none.” states Peter Grenham Proprietor.
Grenham’s business was first established in 1909, when Ellen and
Martin bought a bar and grocery business on Main Street, making it
the oldest business in the town. Sadly Martin Grenham died in 1910 at
a young age, leaving Ellen a widow to carry on alone. She did this with
great courage and tenacity and was eventually joined in the business
in the late 1920’s by her son Joe.
In the early 1940’s, Joe’s first involvement in undertaking arose by selling
coffins through the business, where he mounted and lined them. He then
started to conduct funerals in the early 1950’s, setting the business on
another path that it has followed with great success.
Care, Compassion & Consideration in your time of need.
Tel: 090 9642152. 24hr Mobile 087 2762245/087 6489986
In August of 2015 the Little Rascals crèche was reopened
and is now under new management.
Having undergone extensive refurbishment, both inside and out, the
premises has now become a larger, brighter, and a more inviting space which
is very child friendly and equipped to the highest standards.
The new management team, consists of Miriam Murphy and Claire
McGreal, who are no strangers to the field of childcare and have almost
twenty years of experience in this area. Little Rascals originally opened
in Kilgarve Gardens in 1997. It then was on the move to the Pines
in 1998 before finally finding its home in its current location on the
Shannonbridge Road since September 1999. Claire and Miriam both
worked together in Little Rascals for several years in the past and are
delighted to have the opportunity to work together again.
Having both recently upskilled, they are very excited about current
developments within the sector, “standards are improving all the time, for
both children and staff and childcare is becoming an increasingly professional
field of practice” states Miriam. The extension of the ECCE scheme, which
provides two years free pre-school for children aged between three to four
years is ‘’a welcome development” from the ladies point of view.
Furthermore, the introduction of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum
Framework, has prompted a move towards a much more holistic
approach to early years care and education. Little Rascals is offering
and providing a broad ranging, child-centred programme of learning
which is informed by the principles of Aistear and reflects each child’s
individual strengths and interests.
Little Rascals is committed to delivering the best quality service at very
competitive prices and plans are in place to continue to expand and develop
the business. There are more renovations planned for the Summer and it is
also hoped to transform the outdoor area. Both Claire and Miriam are strong
advocates of the benefits of outdoor play for young children and there is
a large, secure garden to the rear of the premises. The children access this
outdoor area as often as possible and it is hoped in time to include a polytunnel
to let the children grow their own plants and vegetables. There is a
total staff of five full-time workers in the crèche at the moment, all of whom
are experienced and qualified to a very high standard.
They are currently taking enrolments for their ECCE free pre-school year,
for September 2016. Should you require any further information please
feel free to contact Claire/Miriam on 09096 44577.
12 BUSINESS
Teresa & Joe Grenham.
In the late 1970’s, Joe’s son,
Peter joined the undertaking
side of the business and worked
alongside his father acquiring
the skills and developing the business. They purchased a convenient
premises in St. Michael’s square, to be the first funeral home in the town
.. Joe sadly died in 1989 leaving Peter to continue in the undertaking
business. Peter’s son-in-law Niall Aylward joined the firm in 2009 and is
now involved in all aspects of the business.
They recently completed an intensive refurbishment, bringing it in line
with present day funeral requirements, which is conveniently located in St.
Michaels Square. “Our aim was to create a comfortable and intimate setting
that one would experience in the family environment. We want our visitors
to feel welcome and comfortable in which they can arrange/conduct a
funeral or discuss their needs”, mentioned Niall.
Peter and Niall thanked everyone involved in ensuring the funeral
home was saved from flooding these past few weeks. The funeral home
remained open all during this time, thanks to the much appreciated
help they received.
The Funeral Home can be contacted by email at info@grenhamsfunerals.
ie or by phone on 090 9642152.or www.grenhamsfunerals.ie
Little Rascals Creche Under New Management
BY Brian Cieperski