March is the time to celebrate Irish Heritage, and not surprisingly, Downtown Troy has a lot of it. So, it’s only fitting that we highlight our local and most Irish store, Counties of Ireland. This retail store is one of the longest standing (23 years!) in the Downtown area and carries the largest variety of Irish - made goods in the Capital Region straight from the Éire itself!

Traditional Celtic music and Irish rose scent fill the store while owner Robin McDonough graciously allows me to interview her for our very first Downtown Troy blog post.

Read on to learn about Robin, her store, and why she loves Downtown Troy, New York.

When and Why did you open a business in Downtown Troy?

I loved Troy from the minute I walked through it. I am not from Troy originally so I won’t ever know what it’s like to be a true Trojan, all of my friends are from Troy and they remind me of that often. But, I was drawn to the the architecture and the walkability of the city. 23 years ago there were very few businesses in the area as well. I began my business because I saw the potential of how great the area would become and I fell in love with it. My dad always said it takes one neighbor to spread the fire, you know, one person to sweep the block, one person to plant flowers and then it catches on. I’ve felt and seen that energy, sometimes ebb and flow, but I think we have made a ton of progress in the time my store has been here.

What is your favorite part of having a retail business?

My customers. I’ve had some of the same customers for 23 years since the day I opened, they’ve watched my daughter grow up. I’ve watched kids grow up. I’ve done first communions, confirmations, wedding bands for the same kids.. It makes me feel old! Then we also get new customers every day, they say oh I just found you, or I googled you. So… What makes this place special is the customers, always. I like what I do, I come into work and am passionate about what’s in my store.

What makes Counties of Ireland in Troy special?

That’s a hard question. I didn’t start in this building, I was near Monument Square to start. Mr Cooper (who owned Cooper Shoes prior to Counties of Ireland’s move into the space) used to come into my store to critique my windows and my paper ads. He was in business forever here, he would say “look at my building” and I would tell him, “I am not looking at your building”. It was boarded up and there weren’t any other businesses over this way, just the shoe repair place and a boarded up Jack in the Box where the current Dunkin’ Donuts is. After taking a vacation, my parents picked me up from the airport and from there they drove me straight here. I insisted that I wouldn’t look at this building. Well.. they flipped the lights on and instantly I said - ok, I’m home. It just felt right. That’s what this place is. Home.

Anything new for Counties of Ireland you want to share with us for this year?

This year we are adding new lines to the collection. I am always looking to source new additions for the store to keep it fresh and exciting. And yes, I sell sweaters all year long! We’ll be offering new color ways and new styles, so keep your eye out for those.

What are your favorite things to do Downtown?

My family and I love going to the Farmers Market and the Veg Out. I have two stores, the other is in Lake George and my time is split between here, there, and my daughter. We don’t do a whole lot of fun things around town, but we do enjoy them when we can.

March with Counties Of Ireland