In Shinrone, the Centra shop sits in the middle of the main road. For manager Fiona McLeish and trainee manager Kaylee Mead, the shop is a daily meeting point where stories are exchanged, and friends cross paths.

Fiona, born and raised in Shinrone, describes a great day in the village as one filled with local pride: “A great day in Shinrone would be if any of the local teams were in a final. People would be out in their colours, red and white. The whole village would be buzzing, and the shop would be buzzing too.” Even the local shop gets its share of the action as colourful jerseys dart in and out across the filling station in front.

Centra is a gathering place. Locals linger at the door for chats, and staff spend much of their day talking with customers. “Everybody knows everybody and everybody loves to be here and have an old chat,” Fiona explains. This sense of belonging is what makes Shinrone special: a small community where everyone looks out for one another, like one big family.

The village has seen its share of changes. Once bustling with multiple shops and pubs, Shinrone now has only one shop, two pubs, and a post office. Fiona recalls the days when the local hall hosted stars like Daniel O’Donnell and Christy Hennessy, and when Tops of the Town competitions filled the village with excitement. Today, events like the annual barn dance, where locals dress as cowboys and cowgirls, keep the spirit of celebration alive, though on this Saturday afternoon, there isn't the hum of life the village once had.

Challenges remain: housing is scarce, jobs are limited, and many young people are forced to move away to cities or abroad. “There’s nowhere for young people to live anymore,” Kaylee laments. Fiona agrees, noting that without new businesses and homes, the younger generation will continue to leave. Both hope for a future where Shinrone can grow - where new estates, jobs, and opportunities allow families to stay and thrive.

Despite these struggles, there's a positivity to Fiona and Kaylee that's reflected in the people of Shinrone. Whether through sports, music, or the simple act of gathering at the last shop on the road, the village continues to find joy in togetherness. As Fiona puts it, “Shinrone is very special because it’s a small community. We’re probably all one big family.”