End of an era as McCabe’s Butchers, Keadue closes after 89 years serving the community

Saturday, February 3, 2024, marked then end of an era in Keadue Village with the closure of McCabe's butcher shop after a tenure of 89 years.

The shop was opened in 1935 by the late Michael John McCabe who was trained at that time by his brothers-in-law from Carrick-on-Shannon, Jim and Tom McLoughlin.

Michael John carried on the shop with the help of his late wife Mary into the late 1960s when the present owner, their son Oliver, became involved in the business.

Last day at work. Oliver McCabe and his son Colin pictured in their butcher shop in Keadue on Saturday, February 3rd. Pictures: Willie Donnellan

After the death of Michael John in 1972, Oliver continued the butchering trade in Keadue. He was joined in the running of the shop by his wife Mary in 1976.

The business went from strength to strength and Oliver and Mary's son Colin started working there in the year 2000.

An unusual and very special aspect of McCabe's Butchers was that right up to the present time they did most of their own slaughtering at their abattoir behind the shop which had to be maintained to a very high standard.

The slaughtering in earlier years was carried out by Oliver and his late brother Tony, and in later years by Oliver and his sons Colin, Brian and Derek.

Oliver and Mary McCabe are pictured with their sons Brian and Colin, Oliver's brother Vincent and his wife Imelda, Elizabeth McCabe, wife of the late Tony, and Margaret Kelly, sister of Oliver and Vincent.

Even though Oliver and Mary have decided to retire, the business would have continued under Colin's stewardship if it were not for the very high costs of running a small business nowadays, particularly the cost of electricity, etc.

The McCabe Family would like to thank their extended family, great neighbours and friends and especially their very loyal customers down through the years - the fourth generation of some families.

Oliver said, “I would like to wish all my fellow butchers the best of luck in the future and thank them for their cooperation over the years. Best of luck everyone.”

From Oliver, Mary, Colin and the McCabe Family, Keadue.

Members of the McCabe family and customers pictured outside McCabe's Butchers in Keadue on Saturday, February 3rd, left to right, Tommy Daly, Maria and Dylan Walsh, Vincent and Imelda McCabe, Aidan McGowan, Mary Roddy, Margaret Kelly, Elizabeth McCabe, Oliver and Mary McCabe, Colin and Brian McCabe, Margaret McNiff and Una O'Donnell.