While the chips could be as salty as wanted, the mood at Cork’s most famous chipper was bitter-sweet as hundreds regaled with colourful yarns about Lennox’s 70-year history as they queued for what could be their ‘last supper’ there.
The famed chip shop has come a long way since its opening in 1951. Sadly, Sunday will see-Brian and Frances Lennox hang up their aprons one final time.
The queue outside runs like a rushing river of tracksuits, school uniforms, and rainbow anoraks. People from every generation and walk of life chat like funeral goers reminiscing about an old friend.
“I can’t believe it’s going,” admits one.
“Pity, they didn’t sell it. Then again, it wouldn’t have been the same would it?” opines another.
“Still, I’m devastated. I always hoped I’d take my kids here one day.”
Determined not to lose his place in the queue, one 10-year-old boy is nursing his head with an ice-pack. He was sent home early after sustaining an injury in the schoolyard.
Despite this, he is tenacious in his mission to secure one last bag of Lennox’s chips. Just to be safe, he has asked “mam” to keep watch should any of his teachers pop by for lunch.
Old college gangs, who are now in their 40s, have reformed in the hope of recapturing that Lennox’s magic one last time.
John Coakley and David Collins remember their glory days fondly.
“Our Whatsapp group is called Jackie’s because we came here so much while in college,” David says.
“We graduated in 2001 and recognise some of the staff from that time who are still working here today.”
Áine Hosford shares her own college memories.
“All the housemates would chip in to buy one bag of Lennox’s chips and sliced pan. I used to be going mad because I was the only one who liked salt and vinegar and nobody else wanted any.”
One woman in the queue looks visibly disappointed after I approach her for a comment.
“I saw you with your notebook and pen and assumed you were coming to take my order.”
Waterford to Cork might sound like a fair distance to travel for a bag of chips.
However, Teresa Hill knows better. The fast food connoisseur has visited take away joints across the country but nothing compares to the edible holy grail. “I’ve come for the last supper,” she announces.
“It really is the end of an era. A work colleague took me here 40 years ago and from that moment I was addicted. I had to come here one last time.”
Passing motorists open their car windows to inhale the salt and vinegar air. Some stop to capture video on their phones.
Brian Lennox and his staff are oblivious to the commotion outside as they struggle to keep up with overwhelming demand. As if by some loaves and fishes miracle, the food keeps coming.
It’s a sight to behold for Con Prout who, as a small boy, dreamed of growing up to eat Lennox’s every day.
He travelled all the way from his home in West Cork for the occasion.
“There were 13 children in my family growing up which meant we could only afford to eat Lennox’s twice a year,” he told the Irish Examiner.
“At the time only two of us who were allowed to go in and pick up the order. There were too many of us to have in the shop at once.
“We were all hoping that we would be the ones picked because they always gave the kids a few chips before they were wrapped up. It meant you got a few extra than the others.”
Their love for Lennox’s transcended generations.
“I contacted my children, who are abroad, to tell them the bad news. They were upset to hear that it’s closing. They would have loved to have gone there one last time.”
For decades the shop has been like a member of the Lennox family. What began as a confectionary business over their dad Jackie Lennox’s Blackpool bookie’s shop in the late 1940s evolved into a charming fish and shop.
After getting a taste of overnight success, Jackie purchased a cottage on the Bandon Road which – as local legend has it -was the country’s first purpose-built fish and chip shop.
Gretta O’Riordan was with her granddaughter Skye as she reminisced about a bygone era before Instagram reels and viral content.
“My son Ross is 43 now, but I’ll never forget going into Lennox’s and seeing his photograph on the wall. He was about 10 or 11 in the picture.
“We didn’t even know the photograph had been taken so it was very exciting to see it. I’m going to ask Frances if I can take it home to have that memory of Lennox’s.
“They were always so kind. I remember Frances giving the grandkids Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. We were devastated to hear they are closing. We will never find people as nice as them again.”
It’s fair to say that everyone should experience Lennox’s at least once in their life.
Nonetheless, Mikey Lane is met with mock jeers from the crowd after confessing that he’s never had the pleasure.
“My mum and dad used to talk about how they always came here when they were in college in the nineties.
“I’m 18 years old and preparing to do my Leaving Cert next year. I know that this would have been a big part of my life had it stayed open in my first year of college so I wanted to try it just once before it closed.”
Meanwhile, Jack Wall was inspired to visit the fast food outlet after a conversation he had with his mum over breakfast.
“She used to go there in the eighties and I loved it after a night out in college.”
Eoin Russell reveals he is heartbroken and devastated.
“Everyone comes here at the start of college so it becomes part of your life. I’ve come here to get the breast in a bun.”
Denise O’Sullivan laughed that Lennox’s set the scene for many a love story during her youth.
“We used to come here after the Lough Rovers Disco,” she told the Irish Examiner.
“It was always here that you would eye each other up from both sides of the railing. The people were pure salt of the earth. There were a lot of love stories and even marriages to come out of Lennox’s.”
Unfortunately, man can’t live on love alone so it’s a good thing Lennox’s have curry on the menu. However, for Cobh native Shane Motyer the wait is “torturous”.
“I’ve ordered a large chips, breast in a bun, two cartons of curry and two battered sausages. This place is going to be a big loss!”
