The History behind Helena's Coffee Shop

We wanted our coffee shop to reflect the warmth and sophistication of Helena and the generations before and after her that help to cement Walsh’s Hotel as a cornerstone of the community. Helena Concannon (nee Walsh) was born in 1878 in Walsh’s Hotel, Maghera.

Helena was among the first generation of women to formally receive a third level education in Ireland and she achieved great success, receiving awards, scholarships, prizes and accolades throughout her academic and professional careers. She was one of the first people to record the fate of Irish women in history and wrote many books and on the subject, many of which received awards. Although her views were very conservative she brought to attention many women’s issues during her political career in the Dail and the Seanad.

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