'Use the Apple money to keep Lennox's open': Locals react to iconic chipper's closure
Lennox October On It Announced Which Close Shop, Jackie Chip Will 6 Has
The iconic Jackie Lennox chipper in Cork has announced that it will be closing its doors next Sunday.
In the time since the chippers announced the closure on Monday night, Leesiders have taken to social media to share their dismay at the news, as well as their happy memories of a Cork institution which has been serving up some of the finest chips to be found anywhere in Ireland for nearly 75 years.
From the heartfelt to the hilarious, here are some the best reactions so far:
We've already had a call for the Government to use the €13bn of back taxes owed from Apple to keep the chipper going:
Use the Apple money to keep Lennox's open.
— Joe Leogue (@JoeLeogue) September 30, 2024
But that's just one of many more light-hearted reactions:
Someone anyone please save Jackie Lennox’s
— Howey (@AaronHowey) September 30, 2024
I demand immediate government intervention @MichealMartinTD, up to and including nationalisation of Lennox’s. https://t.co/6TVfzIsPEr
— Kieran Frost (@frost_ie) September 30, 2024
Several posts on Twitter and Instagram called for a national day of mourning to mark the chipper's closure, while others offered comparisons to help those outside Cork to understand the chipper's significance here.
For people who haven't lived in Cork, the Dublin equivalent shock level would be Coppers shutting down. https://t.co/HtyMGfbCvy
— Fiachra Ó Cionnaith 😊 (@Ocionnaith) September 30, 2024
The Tánaiste even got involved to pay tribute.
Micheál Martin wrote on X: "A sincere thanks to generations of the Lennox family, who have made an outstanding contribution to Cork life, and its folklore.
"An iconic institution, we’ll be sad to see it close, but ever grateful to a great family."
Cork's Barrack Street Band said the news marked "the end of an era and a titan of #Cork’s food scene.
"Many a band member has been fed, and fed well, from Jackie Lennox’s chipper down through the years - this is such sad news to hear," the band wrote.
"Our thoughts are with the brilliant staff and the Lennox family."
In a post on Facebook, former Lord Mayor of Cork Councillor Kieran McCarthy said: "Sad news. After more than 70 years trading, Jackie Lennox's chipper on the Bandon Road is to close its doors for the final time next Sunday.
"Very best wishes to the family and many thanks for being an important proud institution in feeding Cork - young and old - on all sorts of days, from ordinary days to core special days to weekend treats. You would always meet someone you know in the queue."
Ahhh, lads...
— Nana Tori ✨️💫 (@Just__Tori_) September 30, 2024
I'm not OK!
I lived under the shadow of Callanans Tower, not far from Jackie Lennox Chip Shop had many a supper from them...
The ones where we traipsed half of #Cork city just for their supper after a mad night out were the best 💔 https://t.co/yfwysCs1eU
Echoing a view no doubt shared by many across the rebel county, Jess Ní Mhaoláin said: "Unless you’re from Cork you really won’t understand what a true institution Jackie Lennox’s is".
She added that her grandparents had even got engaged there back in the 1950s.
In a post on Twitter/X, Doireann O'Mahony, founder of the Irish Sepsis Foundation said she had "fond memories of being a child in the queue and there would always be a chip on a little plastic fork handed out to you while the suppers were being prepared".
"Thinking of Frances, Brian and all the Lennox family," she wrote. "Thank you for serving Cork ❤️".
Very sad. Such fond memories of being a child in the queue and there would always be a chip on a little plastic fork handed out to you while the suppers were being prepared. Thinking of Frances, Brian and all the Lennox family. Thank you for serving Cork ❤️ https://t.co/qWKJ25d7ms
— Doireann O'Mahony (@OMahonyDoireann) September 30, 2024