HUGH & LILY’S   

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In an unpretentious homely shop in Northern Ireland, presided Hugh and Lily Kelly…..
Hugh, brought up on Ballyalton Estate and Farm in County Down alongside 12 brothers and sisters, Lily born at Ballyroney in Banbridge alongside two brothers.  They had met by chance, fell in love and lived in an era with no pretentions to the methods and order which prevail now-a-days. Fresh, pesticide free groceries, home-made bread, real hand churned Irish butter and mouth-watering sweets were the order of the day. Glen Miller was on the radio, Austin motorcars were on the road and the great age of cinema going was born. 

Hugh and Lily married in 1938 and H.W. Kelly & Sons was established. It was a beautiful old building and store steeped in history dating back to the late 1800’s and a stone’s throw away from Saint Patrick’s burial site.  Indeed the Kelly family itself is steeped in the history of the area and communities, involved in ironmongery, linen production, racehorse breeding/training, milling and farming.   

 

They were married for over 56 years and had four children, ten grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. 

Hugh’s passion was to treat each customer like a friend, possessing an unquenchable thirst for creating a quality shop that people flocked from far and wide to be served with care and respect. 

Lily's passion was making her own jams and curds made fresh from produce grown in their garden, baking traditional sweets and bread, playing bowls, knitting wonderful creations for family and friends, looking after their beautiful house ‘Korana’ and enjoying the outdoor life with their dogs.

Now years later I, grandson of Hugh and Lily have that same unquenchable thirst to serve the public quality food, gifts and experiences.  Splurging on everything and skimping on nothing.  Recognising that todays consumers demand high quality products and experiences which appeal to their fun and nostalgic sensibilities. Some things are best done the old fashioned way based on the same good old fashioned values my grandparents taught me. 

 

Welcome to the world of Hugh and Lilys.  We hope that you enjoy our products and experiences for many years to come.