THE FAMED JACKIE Lennox’s chipper on Bandon Road in Co Cork is to close its doors for the final time tonight, after 73 years in business. 

The announcement last week of the chipper’s imminent closure has been met with despair by people across the country, including Tánaiste Micheál Martin, a TD for Cork-South Central. 

He said the Jackie Lennox’s chipper “personified Cork decency” and had made an “outstanding contribution” to the city throughout the decades.

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.

An iconic institution, we’ll be sad to see it close, but ever grateful to a great family.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 30, 2024

The closure of the chipper will result in the loss of 30 jobs. 

Set up in 1951 by Jackie Lennox and his wife Eileen O’Callaghan, the chipper was the “first purpose built Fish and Chip shop in Ireland”. Over its many years in business, it has made life-long fans in students past and previous of University College Cork, as well as locals and visitors. 

The chipper has experienced an upsurge in business this week, with one man even making the journey from Denmark to Bandon Road for one final supper at the institution. 

According to the Irish Examiner, the business had taken the difficult decision due to struggles around “paperwork” and in finding staff. Co-owner Brian Lennox told the paper that the closure was not for a lack of business, as the shop remained at its “busiest”. 

In a post to Facebook, owners Brian and Frances said:”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.”