'Great memories, great friends and great romances' being celebrated at Toughers Bar & Restaurant 50 years on since Donnelly Mirrors started in Naas

'Great memories, great friends and great romances' are being celebrated, with Donnelly Mirrors opening in Naas 50 years ago.

A major reunion for former Donnelly Mirrors/ Magna Donnelly staff will be taking place on  Friday, June 29, next, at Toughers.

All proceeds for the long anticipated reunion will go towards St Brigid's Hospice.

In 2007, the car mirror manufacturer closed its doors in Naas. It was the end of an era, after providing huge employment in Naas, since its opening in 1968.

It is hoped that over 200 people will attend the reunion on June 29,  at 8pm.

Mary Harnett was 19 when she began working at Donnelly Mirrors.

She worked in the Human Resources Department for Donnelly Mirrors, from the seventies until 1990.

She said: "There will never be  a company like Donnelly Mirrors again. It was like one big family, great romances started there."

Ms Harnett said the benefits for the staff working at Donnelly Mirrors were fantastic. Staff got free VHI cover, sick pay, bonuses and the company paid a large amount of their pensions.

The majority of the staff began working for Donnelly Mirrors after leaving school at 15 or 17. There was a huge amount of training offered at the company, according to Ms Harnett, who started working there after completing a secretarial course. She progressed to Human Resources.

On June 29, candles will be lit to remember the staff who have passed away.

Tickets for the reunion are €15.