BREAKING: Well known Kildare retailer closes up shop after 50 years

Naas clothing retailer Declan Mahony is hanging up his measuring tape after a half century in the trade in Naas

The proprietor of Mardec Clothing, the men's clothes shop and suit  hire outlet , will close the doors at Friary Business park, Friary Road with a sale.

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Declan started out in 1975, working for the late Denis Coughlan at 21 South Main street , which is  now Anderson's Jewelers. 

Declan entered into a partnership in 1982 with  Roddy Quinlan RIP who sadly passed away in 1987. 

The shop was known as Q & M Casuals.

Man United/Scotland legend the late Denis Law, with the late Eamonn "Sheila" D'Arcy (Naas), an international, League of Ireland and English league goalkeeper - both in suits provided by Declan Mahony

Declan and Roddy became known as Mr. Levi very quickly by the then students of Naas CBS, a reference to the Iconic jeans of the 1980s.

Both Declan and his  brother  Jim Mahony continued on at Q & M Casuals  from 1987 until 1998 when Jim Branched out to Clane as Q&M Menswear

After starting the back to school uniforms with the then Principal Br. Codd Naas CBS in 1983 Declan went on to supply uniforms for St Corbans, Sallins and other schools in the area.

 In 2004 Declan was asked to tender for the St Mary's College uniform which will be taken over in 2026 by Richie Whelan's Menswear, North Main Street, Naas.

After securing the uniform for St Mary's College in2004, Declan decided to cease  the casual end of clothing and formed his formal wear and back to School and Mardec Clothing, was born in Trident House Dublin Road Naas. 

Here at Mardec Clothing , Declan, worked with his sister Kathleen who worked part time until her retirement in 2020.

When Declan started working initially, it was on the basis of becoming a Cabinet maker in Talbot St. Dublin.

But the building that housed that business was flattened in the tragedy that was the Dublin Bombings of 1974.

 “Jobs were hard to find at that time. I suppose I just fell into the retail clothing trade,” he said.

Declan is grateful for the support of the community over the years.

 "I want to thank all my customers and all those who have traded with me along the way and I have seen some changes in the last 8 to ten years. 

“I am also grateful for the young and not so young people who put their trust in me to fit them out for their wedding day and their divorce parties,"

Declan will be 69 on his next birthday. 

Married to Mary, the couple have two daughters Niamh and Deirdre.

He now  plans to take a year out and to do some travelling with Mary. 

Declan knows he is blessed with good health and who knows he might return to doing something on a part time basis.