The last paper king

FOR the last 12 years John Hyland’s Dun Leary’s Last Corner Shop has literally been a cornerstone in the local community. 

Located on the corner of George’s Street and Clarinda Park on the outskirts of the town, this unique store is well-known for its eclectic collection of newspapers that are displayed on the street outside the shop.

And John, a recognised local character who has survived recessions, the advent of online media and big retail since setting up shop across the road in the 1970s, is well versed in how to keep his customers happy.

As well as making sure that he has at least one provincial title from every county in Ireland in stock, he also keeps copies of some of the dailies and Sunday newspapers for at least a week.

When asked why he went to such lengths he had a simple answer.

“The banks, for example, they do what they want,” he declared. “They don’t do what the customer wants. I do what the customer wants. I serve them.”

And so, alongside The Kerryman and The Derry Journal punters can find copies of Der Spiegel, The New Yorker and The Farmer’s Journal.

John, who is obviously a newspaper fan himself, knows his business well.

“I have papers from every county in Ireland,” he states. “The Kerryman is a big seller; Wexford is very popular, I have about seven Wexford papers for sale; four western Mayo papers, including The Connaught Telegraph, and the Kilkenny papers.

“The Anglo-Celt is very popular, as is The Westmeath Examiner, The Meath Chronicle, and The Westmeath Independent, and I’m trying to get copies of The Offaly Independent.

“They’re all good, you know, they’ve got great local coverage and that’s why people who may have moved out of those areas make the effort to come here and pick up a copy,” he adds. “They want to keep  in touch with what’s going on back home.”

With a flourish of pride, John says he also guarantees that copies of some of the weekend’s newspapers and dailies will remain on sale for at least a week to make sure those who may have missed a copy of their favourite paper have an opportunity  to pick one up.

“If you go away for the weekend and come back they’re gone, you know. You won’t be able to pick up a Sunday Times but I guarantee to keep them here for at least one week. I don’t know if many other shops do it because the publishers make it very difficult for you. They want the unsold copies returned.”

As we spent time with John I noticed a steady stream of customers coming into the shop, who all seemed to know him by name.

When they picked up a few essentials and a newspaper they chatted with him about the weather as he asked about their health.

John was only disappointed that we had arrived on a blustery day in Dún Laoghaire as he had to keep his proud collection of newspapers battened down from the wind sweeping through the town.

“Ah, I usually have them all stacked up here on display,” he said with a frown, as he lifted up pieces of tarpaulin to show off his impressive array of papers in all their glory.

John, who opens at the eye-watering hour of 5am to serve those early risers going to work, claims he dosn’t need a lot of sleep.

And, having been in the business for so long, after picking up the trade from his father who ran a newsagents in Kilmainham, where he worked as a youngster, John is happy to carry on the tradition.

That said, he’s unsure about the future.

“Business has picked up a bit but for a while there it was tough,” he acknowledges.

“But sure, I’ll be here for a while  yet.”