Pearse Street, Athlone- help identify no.10 & no.20

[corisande]

Whilst researching Robert and William Grant in Athlone, I came across two addresses in Pearse Street that someone may be able to help me with

The 1911 census gives Robert and William Grant as "photographers" living as boarders in 10 King Street, Athlone.

And also that there was a Photographer and Printer, John T Hoban at 20 King St, Athlone.

Inevitably "King" street has changed its name and is now "Pearse" street.

I found one photo on Google of 10 Pearse Street . It is certainly not a hotel, but I cannot quite make out what it is. Its name is "Making you look good" which could be a photographer, but I cannot find one called that in Athlone

I cannot get anything on 20 Pearse Street, Athlone. Anyone local tell me what is there today?

Dublin post: www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=403997.msg2728681#msg2728681
Another Westmeath post: www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,404040.0.html

[ambyrne1]

I will be in Athlone this weekend so I will have a look for you and maybe take a photo if possible.

[corisande]

That is really kind of you.

The thought is that perhaps my two photographers, at 10 Pearse St, had something to do with John T Hoban the photographer, at 20 Pearse St.

It seemed an interesting  coincidence that number 10 today might still be a photographer, and who knows what has happened to number 20!

[doojeen]

One side of Pearse Street was completely demolished and rebuilt in the 1990s.

Pearse Street in the 50s (note traffic congestion!)

The east side of Pearse Street disappears in 1996

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[corisande]

Thanks for that bit of history, the place certainly looked very sad before it was demolished.

[doojeen]

That side of the street now

[denmcn]

Corisande,

Not sure of numberings but the photo you show of 10 Pearse Street is now Snap Printing, before that it was Ken's Chinese Restaurant....cant go back further than that I'm afraid.

I've just done google of my own and there is a solicitors office in number 11....but inbetween both of these buildings is what was the Bank of Ireland, so I'm not so sure that the image you have is actually number 10.

As far as I know number 20 was demolished and rebuilt  - see the pics posted by Doojeen. It would have been at the extreme right of the photo in the middle.

Denmcn

[corisande]

OK

Thanks for the additional information. Looks as if its as far as I can take it now.

[denmcn]

Just had a thought, I work with a guy who is very well up on Athlone history and his family were also photographers in the town. I'll see him later and will ask him if he knows of those two that you are interested in.

D