M&P O'Sullivan Ltd 100 Years

Info

M. & P. O’Sullivan, Celebrating <strong>100</strong> <strong>Years</strong>, 1905-2005 Early marketing techniques, c. 1940 - bilingual advertisement 16
17 5 Mid Twentieth Century Consolidation The other M.&P. O’Sullivan premises, the Princes Street building, was an early nineteenth century structure and three storeys high. The picture of the shopfront of M.& P. O’Sullivan in the 1920s shows staff members Mick O’Sullivan (left) and Johnny Kenneally (right). A staff member and manager at M.P. O’Sullivan for many years, Johnny Kenneally was also one of the greatest Cork hurling forwards in the 1920s and 1930s. He combined coolness, speed, positional sense and skill with an outstanding knowledge of all the finer points of the game. In 1929 he won a Munster minor championship with Cork and he travelled to Dublin to play on the All-Ireland minor final. Sean Óg Murphy recognising his skill got him withdrawn from the minor final and he played instead on the winning Cork senior side. Indeed, Johnny gave his 1931 medal to the clergy of St. Francis Church who needed gold to make the tabernacle. Despite leaving school in his teens like many others of his generation, it was the school of life that made Paddy O’Sullivan very tuned into marketing M.& P. O’Sullivan. He was ahead of his time in terms many of his marketing ideas. As early as 1909, Paddy O’Sullivan had developed an interest in discounts and developed a gift scheme. One could redeem them for gifts such tobacco knives and pouches, tea pots and butter dishes. The company added wholesale grocery to its tobacco business in 1933. Paddy O’Sullivan’s son also called Paddy (born in 1923) was claimed as a quiet giver who was a resilient and capable administrator. At the age of 15, Paddy was a commerce student at UCC and three years later he finished his degree. However, because of his age, he had to wait a further year before being conferred. He went on to take on an apprenticeship as a commercial traveller for the firm he would inherit. During those years on the road he developed lasting friendships and a reputation as a sharp wit and lively companion. In his private life, Paddy (junior) was a consummate family man, a friend to his beloved children, Madeleine, Mary, Pat and James and lifelong companion of Nancy. Long before his entry to UCC, Paddy had developed a passionate love of sport that would remain with him for the rest of his life. His interests
Page 1: Edited by Kieran Mc Carthy
Page 4 and 5: M. & P. O’Sullivan, Celebrating 1
Page 12 and 13: Producers and Staff in Mary Street,
Page 14 and 15: Guests at the opening of M.&P. O’
Page 36: E7.50 PROCEEDS TO CORK CHARITIES In

M&P O'Sullivan Ltd 100 Years

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?