Farewell to ‘a true institution’

Sunday will be a sad day on Leeside as one of the city’s most iconic chippers is set to turn off the fryers, shut off the lights and close its doors one last time for good.

Jackie Lennoxs on Bandon Road announced on Monday with a “heavy heart” that it will close its doors for the final time after 73 years.

Taking to social media, the family business said: “This may seem strange to make this decision when we are at our busiest, but time has creeped up on us and we are unable to cope with the burden of our success.

“From humble beginnings above a cobbler’s shop on the northside of the city, Eileen and John opened their present shop on Bandon Road.”

The Facebook post added: “We would like to thank our local suppliers who have always given the best and freshest of their products. To our loyal co workers many of whom have been part of our family for many generations. It has been a privilege.

“To our loyal customers thank you so much you have been a delight to serve and will be part of us forever. Please remember us fondly and we hope that we have made in a small way a contribution to the culture of Cork.”

Tánaiste Michael Martin lead the tributes. “A sincere thanks to generations of the Lennox family, who have made an outstanding contribution to Cork life, and its folklore.

“Lennox’s takeaway personified Cork decency, with good fun,” he added in a social media post. Describing it as “an iconic institution”, he added that “we’ll be sad to see it close, but ever grateful to a great family”.

Jackie Lennox Chip Shop was the premier sponsor of Cork City FC’s women’s first team and Brian Lennox has a long association with Cork City and owned the club for a number of years.

The Facebook post was liked and shared hundreds of times with people from Cork and around the world saying how sad and sorry they were to see the chipper close.

A past UCC student said: “As someone from the US who studied at UCC in 2014, we would go to your shop all the time during our semester. I cannot get the curry sauce out of my head and could never find a comparable sauce anywhere!

“So sorry to hear you’re closing but thanks for all of the wonderful memories!”