Travel agency to close after 112 years in business

A travel agency in Ireland is closing after the third generation owner retires at the end of the year.

Grenham Travel in Athlone will shut after 112 years on the retirement of owner Marie Grenham.

She is the third generation of the same family to run the business established by her grandfather John Grenham in 1911.

It was set up when he applied for a licence to operate as a shipping agent and booked passengers on the Titanic amongst his first customers. 

Marie took over the business in 1999 when her father, Tommy, passed away.

Worldchoice member Grenham Travel won the travel agency of the year award at the 2017 Irish travel industry awards and the travel agency marketing campaign of the year in 2018.

She was honoured by the Irish Travel Agents Association for her contribution to the travel industry in 2020.

Marie announced the closure in advance to allow for an orderly wind up of the business and to manage customers with existing bookings and vouchers.

Grenham Travel will not be taking on future bookings but three local agency partners in the Worldchoice consortium are available in Ballinasloe, Galway and Tuam.

Marie said: “I would like to thank all our customers who supported us over the decades.

“We have had fantastic repeat customers, many are generations of the same families trusting us with their holiday choices and travel plans throughout their lives. 

“Grenham Travel has been more than a business to me, it has been a true pleasure and privilege to engage and build relationships with customers on a personal and professional level – sharing key moments in their lives both happy and sad.

“I would also like to acknowledge the incredible team members, past and present, who have worked with Grenham Travel over the years and the role they have played in making the agency such a great success.

“To the Irish Travel Agents Association, Worldchoice Group, all our business partners, representatives, and airlines – Míle Buíochas go léir for your friendly, good humoured, courteous assistance – not forgetting your patience and understanding as I always looked for the best value for our customers.”