Tobins of Trim:
40 Years, One Shopfront, and a Lifetime of Community Grace
By Dr. Yinka Dixon, PhD (hc)
Queen of New Beginnings
“What are you doing for your birthday today?”
Without skipping a beat, Ann smiled and said:
“I still have to turn up to work!”
In those few words, you hear it all: the grit, grace, and grounded resilience that define Ann Tobin - and by extension, the beloved family shop she co-runs with her husband Kieran in Trim, County Meath, Ireland.
Yesterday, Thursday 26th June 2025, I stumbled upon something timeless.
A shop with balloons swaying gently outside, marked “40 Years” caught my eye.
The name on the green-trimmed windows?
TOBINS.
And behind the glass, a universe of stories:
Giftware. Greeting cards. Vintage memorabilia.
And just inside the door, was the real treasure - Ann Tobin, who, as it turned out, would be turning 64 the very next day.
As I admired the longevity of the shop, I commented on how remarkable 40 years in business is, and asked if she was in her 60s too — explaining I’d be 65 in October and love capturing people and stories.
She smiled and said warmly:
“I’m 64 tomorrow, Friday.”
“And we’ve been doing this for 40 years!”
I wished her a happy birthday in advance and took a short video of her — because moments like that deserve to be kept, celebrated, and shared.
Video Credit: Yinka Dixon 26June2025
🎂 Ann at 64: Still Turning Up – Even on Her Birthday
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANN...
Today, Friday 27th June 2025, Ann Tobin turns 64 - but instead of taking the day off, she did what she’s done for the last 40 years…
She opened the shop.
When I asked what she was doing to mark the day, she smiled and said:
“I still have to turn up to work!”
No fuss. No frills. Just a gentle laugh and the kind of quiet resilience only a self-employed woman of substance can carry.
Not a complaint, but a badge of honour.
Because while others retire, step back, or fade quietly into routine, Ann Tobin shows up - on her birthday, in every season, and for every customer.
And that… is legacy in action.
🎈 This is More Than Just A Shop – It's A Family Legacy
Tobins of Trim isn’t just a gift shop.
It’s a family-built, community-rooted legacy, shaped over four decades.
Ann and her husband have poured their lives into it, watching not just the business grow, but their children, their customers, and their town.
“Trim has changed a lot,” she said, reflecting as she looked down Market Street.
“We’ve seen businesses come and go. But we’re still here.”
She says it not with pride, but with gratitude.
That quiet Irish strength that speaks volumes without raising its voice.
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| Trim Castle - Google Image |
🏰 Trim, Then and Now
In the 1980s, Trim was a quieter place.
The cobblestones hummed with local footfall. Tourism was a summer event, not a year-round rhythm. The Norman Castle stood sentinel over a town still finding its modern identity.
- The Trim Castle is best known for its appearance in the film Braveheart, where it represented the walled city of York. As with so many castles in Ireland, the land was granted by King Henry II to his loyal supporters – in this case, Hugh de Lacy.
Tobins opened during that time, when small businesses were built with little more than trust, elbow grease, and local loyalty.
Today, the castle still stands, but so do Ann and her husband, still showing up, still serving, still greeting generations of locals and visitors alike.
Why This Story Matters
As a proud migrant, BookPreneur, Adult Vocational Assessor and Trainer, Life Transitions coach, Journalist, Migrant Community Advocate, Suicide Prevention First Aider, and the Designated Safeguarding Lead, I believe some stories should never go untold.
This is one of them.
It’s a story of a woman who never stopped showing up.
Of a family that gave a town its corner shop memory.
Of a community that grew around a humble little storefront on Market Street.
In a world that often rushes past people like Ann, I choose to pause.
Just to say:
We see you. We honour you. And we thank you.
🥂 Join Me in Celebrating:
🎉 Happy 64th Birthday, Ann Tobin
🎉 Happy 40th Business Anniversary to Tobins of Trim
This story is not just a business milestone!
It’s a reminder that legacy is built not in grand gestures, but in daily presence.
If you’ve ever bought a card, a gift, or even shared a kind word at Tobins -
Would you leave a message or memory below?
Even if you don't know Tobin's or Ann, a celebration is what it is.
Let’s fill the town with stories and love.
Let’s make this birthday unforgettable.
Because people like Ann Tobin don’t ask for applause.
But my goodness, they deserve it.
📍 Visit Tobins of Trim: www.tobinstrim.ie
📷 (Photo and Video Credit: Dr. Yinka Dixon (Queen of New Beginnings) June 26th, 2025
🖋 Story by: Dr. Yinka Dixon, NUJ (UK & Ireland) https://linktr.ee/yinkadixon/
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