Leading Tullamore reborn at Kilbride St in Tullamore
AL CONROY, just 23 years old, founded Stella Press in Tullamore’s Kilbride Street in 1958.
Al recalled his early interest in art and began an apprenticeship with Jack Adams at Tullamore Printing Works.
Al completed his seven-year apprenticeship and took the courage to start Stella Press. He rented a Kilbride Street location.
Al was 23 years old when he started his own business. He bought a Heidelberg Printer and began to provide his services for Tullamore businesses and residents.
Al purchased the property in 1989 after another opportunity presented itself. Al rebuilt the property in 1995 and ran Stella Press until his retirement, in 2002. He had served 44 years in the business and community of Tullamore and the surrounding areas.
Al reminisces about the early days at Stella Press. The printing industry back in the 1950’s and 1960’s was very different then to today’s high tech printing technology which is available for Graphic Design and Printing.
Heidelberg Printer was a One Roll Machine. It could produce full colour posters, full colour stationary, etc. Each page had four runs through the printer.
This required you to clean the ink tray and remove the ink. Then, place the next colour ink on the tray.
To get a full colour print involved using four colours – black, yellow, magenta and cyan which together create to Colour Palette Spectrum.
Printing used to involve creating printing blocks and plates, cutting and pasting, and then splicing. These terms are still used in modern Computer Software Packages. It was a novel printing process.
Al said he printed everything from business stationary, business cards, docket books, tickets for different events – social and sporting.
He printed posters for the Showbands who performed in the Dance Halls and at Carnivals which were held back in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s and were all the go at the time. Discos hadn’t yet made it onto the entertainment scene.
He created posters for Joe Dolan, Big Tom, Joe Dolan, the Countrymen, the Drifters, and many other bands.
Al recalls that he used to work more than 12 hours per day in the early days to complete orders on behalf of his clients.
Al decided to diversify his business in 1972 and became a registered gun dealer selling ammunition and guns to hunters.
In 1980, he expanded the business to meet the needs of anglers. He also sold fishing rods & tackle.
Stella Press was able to meet the needs of angling and hunting enthusiasts.
Stella Press was founded in 2002 by Al when he reached 66 years of age.
Maura was involved with the running of the business. She looked after the sale and administration of hunting and angling product. Al was able to concentrate on the printing aspect of Stella Press.
Al and Maura rented out the Stella Press premises to local businesses after Stella Press stopped trading. Brian, who was the youngest Conroy child, took after his father Al and began to take an interest in art at Colaiste Coilm secondary school.
Brian graduated from secondary school in 1999 and attended Moate Business College. There he took an Art Portfolio Course. Then he transferred to the Athlone institute of technology, where he earned a three-year Diploma of Design and Communications.
Brian graduated from AIT and worked for three years at Signs by Design with Triona Mahon.
Brian, a sign designer by trade, has been working in the printing industry for 17 years.
Al and Maura received word that Kilbride Street’s tenant was closing their doors at the end of October 2022. The Conroys saw an opportunity for Brian to re-establish Stella Press.
It was a nostalgic decision for Stella Press to be re-established. Many people in Tullamore are fondly aware of Stella Press’ printing business, but also because of its sale of hunting and fishing supplies.
Through his involvement in Business Network Ireland, Brian Conroy has become a well-known figure in Tullamore. Al Conroy, his father, is starting to re-establish Stella Press. Brian is 41 years old and has 25 years of experience in the Design and Print Industry.
Brian’s wife Christina and their three children Shane, Adam and Jenny are all proud to see Brian now running Stella Press.
Brian is passionate about meeting the bespoke printing needs of his clients and the Stella Press Mission Statement clearly outlines Brian’s dreams.
MISSION STATEMENT
Stella Press will provide the highest quality products, services and support possible at a fair price.
Stella Press will listen to your needs and help you reach your business goals. Stella Press will always be there to offer honest, expert advice, and friendly customer service.
STELLA PRINTING is your best choice for all of your printing needs
CONTACT DETAILS
Email: [email protected]
Tel: (057) 9351971
Mob: 087 695 2025
www.stellapress.ie