The well-known garden and home retailer McD's has closed its three branches, Galway Beo understands.
The garden and home brand was well loved by Irish homeowners for fifteen years, but the brand suddenly shut their three stores, two in Co Galway and one in Co Cork.
McD's was a Galway favourite, opening their first two branches in Loughrea and Galway city before the garden centre brand expanding into Co Cork. The brand opened their first store in 2009 in Loughrea at Bride St. but moved to their present Loughrea home in 2010.
The ambitious company opened their second store at Galway Crystal on the eastern edge of Galway city in 2019, before later adding their Dripsey, Co Cork branch.
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The three McD's stores in Galway and Cork were closed on Wednesday 28 August 2024. Locals in Dripsey describe their shock at finding the store closed on Wednesday. Workers at one store described the news being dealt to staff over the weekend ahead of their final day.
Local councillor Geraldine Donohue said she was "very sad to see such a great employer go."
Cllr. Donohue told Galway Beo that McD's was "a great service and a great employer to the town." Cllr. Donohue also wished the family and the staff "all the best", and acknowledged that these are "challenging times for local businesses."
"Between rates, energy, water and staffing costs, we've seen too many local businesses shut in the last few years. It's especially tough now for local businesses to make a go of it.
"Shops come and go, and it's always sad to see someone who has taken the chance to get into business close, but McD's has been a part of the town for so long that it's especially sad to see them go."
"McD's was here for fifteen years, their staff was excellent, and the family are lovely people. It's very sad, but I wish them all the best."
Loughrea Tidy Towns issued a statement reflecting the sadness in the community at the loss of the long-standing business: "We as a group would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to McDs shop and to Sean McDonald for their fantastic support and tireless efforts in helping Loughrea.
"We are so very sorry to hear about the closure and hope that you will rise from the ashes like the mighty phoenix you are. It is a sore loss for our community."
A source told Galway Beo that the company experienced difficulties which caused the sudden closure of the family-run business.
Galway Beo has contacted all three stores for comment.
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