Tom McGrath, Mary Flahavan (Director) Eddie Whelan, John Flahavan (Chairman) and Tony Whelan pictured at a party to mark the recent retirement of the three men. | Photo: Dylan Vaughan
Three workers recently retired from one of Waterford’s leading businesses with a remarkable 150 years of experience between them.
Eddie Whelan, Tom McGrath and Tony Whelan retired from Flahavan’s in Kilmacthomas before Christmas, having each provided 50 years of service to the company.
Eddie and Tom were both 15 when they started at the Kilnagrange Mills, while Tony was 14. Even more remarkably, all three hail from the same stretch of road in Kilmacthomas.
“We went to school together, came home together, and now we’re finishing up work together,” said a proud Eddie.
“When I look back, I can remember the day I came in here and it doesn’t seem like 50 years ago,” said Tony.
Throughout their years of service, the men have seen big changes at Flahavan’s, particularly in machinery and technology, witnessing the huge expansion of the family run business.
