Helena’s Coffee Shop

A story rooted in Walsh’s Hotel

Helena’s Coffee Shop takes its name from Helena Concannon (née Walsh), whose life and achievements remain an important part of the Walsh’s Hotel story.

Born in 1878 at Walsh’s Hotel in Maghera, Helena belonged to the Walsh family whose generations of hard work, welcome and community spirit helped establish the hotel as a much-loved local landmark. We wanted our coffee shop to reflect the warmth, character and quiet sophistication associated with Helena, as well as the generations before and after her who have continued the Walsh’s tradition of hospitality.

Helena Concannon was among the first generation of women in Ireland to receive a formal third-level education. Her academic and professional career was marked by scholarships, prizes, awards and wide recognition.

A respected historian and writer, Helena was among the first to document the lives and experiences of Irish women throughout history. She wrote several books on the subject, many of which received acclaim and awards. Later, during her political career in both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann, she brought attention to issues affecting women, ensuring their voices and experiences formed part of the national conversation.

Today, Helena’s Coffee Shop is a place to pause, meet and enjoy good food and drink in relaxed surroundings. It is a small tribute to an extraordinary woman, her family heritage and the enduring place of Walsh’s Hotel at the heart of the Maghera community.

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