There is a great sense of sadness in Donegal Town as it has been announced that M McGettigan & Sons will be closing their doors for the last time tomorrow.
Trading since 1952, brothers brothers Ernan and Diarmuid McGettigan took over the business from their father in 1980.
The company, which employs seven local people, has cited competition with multinationals as the primary reason for their closure due to a consistent drop in turnover over the last four or five years.
Speaking to Fora, Ernan McGettigan says “Small businesses are being interfered with by [multinationals] and we’re the next ones that have to go.
“Our father started the business, which is the hardest part about this.
“We’ve tried everything, we’ve cut costs as much as we can. We’ve tried to produce products of quality, unfortunately it’s all about the price.
“There’s very little loyalty left to small businesses who employ local people. Everyone is a number now, it’s all about productivity, get in and out.
McGettigans have thanked their customers, “particularly the customers who stuck with us to the end”.
Ernan says that after Saturday, “we will end up with nothing” due to the lack of support mechanisms in place if things go wrong for the self-employed.
Although the brothers are thinking of making a business from their sausages, Ernan says they should be thinking of retiring, however stressed that “we have mortgages to pay so I would never say never.”
McGettigan fondly remembers when Prince Charles visited their premises during his visit to Ireland in 2016.
“We’re the only shop premises in Donegal that he stood inside. It was a great honour.”
The closure of McGettigans, who have won European-wide recognition for their excellent range of sausages when named Chevaliers of the prestigous Commanderie des Fins Goustiers du Duche d’Alencon, France, will be a huge loss to Donegal Town.
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