Edward Lee

happy partnership. Annie, born 20th March 1859, was the second daughter
of eight children of George Sheckleton and Mary Anne Carrey of Dungar
Park, Roscrea. The Sheckleton family were members of the Church of
Ireland. Edward and Annie moved to No.2 Goldsmith Terrace in Bray, Co.
Wicklow, where Edward had been living at this time. Their first child,
Edward Sheckleton Lee, was born in the house in 1879. Interestingly, the
name Sheckleton became Shackleton around this time and both Annie
and her first born, would use the new spelling from then on. The reason
for this change is not known.
Edward Lee And Co. 1885
During this period, Edward was learning about the drapery
trade. By 1883, he was manager of Penrose Bowles and Co,
General Drapers and Outfitters, 89 Lower Georges Street,
Kingstown, (Dún Laoghaire). He gained much experience in the business,
all of which he would soon put to good use. It was probably at this time
that he realised that good trade was to be had in coastal towns, linked
by railways. In 1885, Edward and Annie decided to strike out on their
own. They opened their first shop Edward Lee and Co, on the ground
floor of their house at No 2. Goldsmith Terrace. This was quickly followed
by another shop in Kingstown the same year. The original location of the
shop was at 7, 8, 9 Anglesea Buildings, Upper Georges Street. In 1906 the
shop relocated to the corner of Upper Georges Street and Northumberland
Avenue, into a purpose built premises, now occupied by Dunnes Stores.
This beautiful building, with its red brick and granite façade is one of the
architectural ‘gems’ of Dún Laoghaire. It was designed by Kaye-Parry and
Ross, who also designed the Carnegie Library in the town. Today there
are still traces of Edward Lee and Co. on the building. Above the corner
at the junction of the two roads, there is a granite pediment with EL&Co
Ltd. carved in relief. The shops operated on the ‘Cash Only’ system, ‘ONE
PRICE! PLAIN FIGURES! SMALL PROFITS! CASH!’ This business model
was a success.
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Edward Lee