Dermot passes on ‘Prices’s Shop’ after 20 years service

By Callum McGuigan

Dermot Lynch has had a life of retail, having started when he was aged sixteen working his way up to manager level of Stewart’s, then progressing to McGinns of Killyclogher, before taking over Prices shop in Clanabogan in January of 2003. The whole Lynch family has served the shop, including his wife Valerie and two daughters, Ellie and Sophie, who have both worked as shop assistants whilst they were students.

The shop’s employees were not family dominated however, as through the years many past and present Clanabogan and Dromore residents have came and left, including myself, who will be one of the last to work under the management of Mr Lynch.

The Vivo store during Dermot’s reign as manager has developed to more than an essentials ‘bread and milk’ shop, it has become a community hub for the local residents.

Through his double decade long ownership of the store, Dermot has developed the hamlet of Clanabogan, and has brought the community closer together through his involvement in local activities.

One such event is the annual turning on of the Christmas tree lights at the shop. It not only brings the residents together at the festive period, but it also stamps Clanabogan on the map of Tyrone as its own entity in the countryside.

Dermot is also heavily involved in the local sports, often supporting the Drumragh Sarsfield GAA club in various events, namely the Drumragh 5 and 10k runs every year, in which he supplied the banners and refreshments for the runners.

During Covid, Dermot and the shop became a paramount essential service for the elderly and vulnerable in the locality, as he selflessly took time to rally the heroes of the hamlet to deliver essential products for those who could not and did not want to risk leaving their homes amidst fears of catching the deadly virus.

Now, ‘Price’s shop’, a name which stuck even after 20 years of Lynch’s ownership, will be passed on to Conor and Sandra Colton. Conor stated: “We are going to keep it running as Dermot has and will continue to support the community. It will be a while until we find our feet but when we do we will decide where to go from there.”

The shop will change ownership officially today (Thursday) as Dermot packed up early last night, concluding his 20-year run of the shop.