Shop with a vital mission

TUCKED in on the North Circular Road in Phibsborough, is the Irish Cancer Society Charity Shop – and it’s a retail outlet that plays an important role in helping those affected by the disease.

It’s filled with books, dresses, silverware and clocks amongst other fabulous items, and is being run in the very capable hands of Ann Walsh and Caitríona Somers.

When running the shop, Ann says that first and foremost it’s very important to make people aware of what they are.

“People sometimes don’t understand, but we let them know that any profits made go into providing hospice care, research, home care and family support,” she emphasises.

As a cancer survivor herself, Ann saw first-hand the work that the Irish Cancer Society do. When recuperating, she couldn’t work but volunteered at the Irish Cancer Society Shop in Camden Street until a position became available in Phibsborough.

“A lot of the volunteers across our shops would be survivors or know someone affected. They are so dedicated because they are aware of where the money goes”.

The shop recently celebrated its 21st anniversary and two of the volunteers, Maura and Rose, have been there since the day the doors first opened.

Ann describes the volunteers as “amazing” and adds that “they are the backbone of everything that we do.”

The connection the volunteers build up with customers why  many people return every week to check out the latest bargains.

With vintage clothing making a big comeback, it’s no surprise that this rail is one of the most popular in the shop.

“On Saturday afternoons we see a lot of people browsing our selection of vintage clothes,” Ann says. Ann and Caitríona also travel to flea markets to gauge what’s selling well and what the rates generally are.

This market knowledge is one of the many tools the pair use to make the shop run well. One of the big things for Ann is the presenting all the items well.

“It’s like any shop, if you walk in and it’s messy, you’ll want to leave. So presentation is huge!”

Social media is also a way of reaching out to customers, especially to give an extra push to their window sales, which take place every Saturday. 

Although they have a team of 25-30 volunteers at any given time, the Irish Cancer Society is always looking for volunteers.

“If anyone could spare two to four hours a week, we’d be happy to have a chat then about a volunteer role and answer any questions,” Ann explains.

At the moment, the shop is doing a major call-out for donations of clothing, shoes and bric-a-brac. Handily enough, there’s free parking in the car-park across the road for anyone dropping off any contributions. 

The Irish Cancer Society charity shop is based at 348 North Circular Road. 

REPORT: Róisín Nestor