Popular Kilkenny businessman celebrates landmark birthday
Paddy Kenna of Kenna’s Family Butchers on Friary Street in Kilkenny City celebrates his 90th birthday
Hugely popular Kilkenny man Paddy Kenna, a local businessman who has been the face of Kenna's Butchers on Friary Street for decades, recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
Paddy has become a familiar figure in Kilkenny City over the years as he has spent most of his life working in the family business.
The business was originally started by his late father of the same name Paddy, who worked at Hickey's Butchers on High Street before starting his own shop.
In 1956 Paddy took over the shop at only 20 years old. Paddy grew up with little knowledge of anything other than butchery. He had started at a young age of 10 and spent long days and early mornings working at the shop.
Kenna's has since become a very strong family-run business but Paddy has never been one to sit around.
He still comes in regularly to the shop and is well known for his quick wit.
A customer once asked him when he was going to retire and he replied ‘when I fall down and have to be carried out in a box’!
Paddy has witnessed a lot of change in Kilkenny over the last 90 years, especially on Friary Street,however Kenna's has remained a constant.