Third-generation family company opens new branch in Blackrock
Monday 23rd May 2016: One of Dublin’s longest established funeral directors has signalled plans to significantly expand its business over the next five years with an initial €500,000 investment in new premises and state-of-the-art facilities.
The third-generation family business today opened a new branch in Blackrock, bringing its total branch network to ten. And, as part of its wider expansion strategy, the company has also refurbished its funeral home in Dublin’s Thomas Street and created a state-of-the-art mortuary facility at its Cork Street premises.
Speaking at the opening of the new branch at Newtown Park, Blackrock, managing director Freddie Maguire said that the company has ambitious plans to bring new products and service to market over the next 24-months, as well as open a number of new branches in key locations around Dublin city and county over the next five years, both of which have the potential to create up to 15 new jobs.
“Massey Bros. is a growing business, evidenced by the fact that we now arrange approximately one-in-four of all funerals in the areas in which we have a presence,” said Freddie Maguire.
“The service we offer is one that enables families to honour the lives of their loved ones. To do that in a meaningful way, we have to be innovative, particularly as today there is no such thing as a ‘standard’ funeral. Over the last number of years we have developed a range of new products and services such as a Harley-Davidson hearse, spaces for civil funerals and pre-paid international repatriation funeral plans helping us to reach a far wider target audience and deliver steady and consistent market share growth.
“Massey Bros. has always been about serving the local community – that ethos is something that has stood the test of time for the business and is something that we replicate in all of the areas in which we have a presence. The importance of family is also something that has stayed with us – family taking care of family – ours always has been a family business and, I hope, always will be.
“Blackrock is a strategic location for us, not least because it is an area that we, as a family, have had a long association with. And, we consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve the people of the south county Dublin area.”
Massey Bros. is the original ‘Massey’ funeral provider in Dublin and was established in the Liberties by the current managing director Freddie Maguire’s mother – Cissy Maguire (née Massey) – in the 1930s. And, despite being perceived to be a male dominated industry, the female influence continues to be very much in evidence today as half of the company’s board members and employees are female and seven of the company’s ten funeral homes are managed by women.
The company’s new branch at Newtown Park, Blackrock comprises a space in which families may hold a ceremony of their choice; a Skype facility so that mourners living overseas may attend a funeral via the internet; two chapels of rest; and a small garden of reflection.
