Knife in the heart of Limerick town as last butcher shop closes doors

A SLICE of local life has ended in Hospital with the closure of the only butchers shop in the  town.

Once upon a time, Hospital was home to three butcher shops. The last man standing was Pat Whelan who kept the O’Byrne Bro’s name, dating back over 100 years, over the door. 

Pat told the Limerick Leader it was a great 37 years that he spent as a butcher in Hospital. Twenty seven years were spent with Nicholas Cooke. Pat took over 10 years ago after he retired. 

“The shop was a big part of the town and the locality. Customers came from all the surrounding villages to buy their meat and even people passing through to Cork or Limerick would stop off to buy their meat from a traditional butcher shop. 

“Our meat was all local - beef and lamb bought from local farmers. Fresh burgers made every day were a specialty. Many customers would not just come for the meat but also a chat, a cup of tea or to meet others. There were great chats and banter had in the shop. We were always there to help anyone that might be stuck for something,” said Pat.

However, he said he unfortunately had to make the decision to close the doors.

“It was due to the continuing increase in the price of beef and lamb, as well as the increased costs of electricity, insurance etc,” said Pat, who wished to thank all his customers from the Hospital area and surrounding villages, friends and family who supported him over the years.

It was a true family business as Pat and wife Evelyn’s three sons - Michael, Eli and Shane worked in the shop during holidays while Evelyn did the books. They also had a lot of transition year students come in on work experience who ended up working part-time after school and weekends.

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Auctioneer in Hospital, former mayor and councillor Ger Mitchell said: “The people of Hospital are all saddened, including myself, at the closure. 

“We had a fantastic selection of butchers but unfortunately due to the times we are in, a lot of butchers are finding it very hard to survive in that trade. We are all sorry to lose Pat.”

However, Mr Mitchell said Hospital is on the up as it has two supermarkets, two pharmacies, four public houses, four garages, two auctioneers, two solicitors, petrol station, is a centre of excellence for education and has new businesses opening.

“Hospital is a friendly self-sufficient town with a huge variety of businesses being ideally located on the R513 Limerick to Cork Road,” said Mr Mitchell, who highlights entrepreneurs choosing Hospital to open up new enterprises.

“Edel Ryan has opened up an acupuncture business at Upper Main Street. Paul McCarthy,  physiotherapist, has opened at Gannon’s old premises  on Main Street. Al Fitzgerald has refurbished and opened the pub formerly known as Scoby’s Bar now known as The Creamery. The restaurant in the Old Bank has been leased to a new operator.  

“A gym has also opened in Mitchell's Old Hall operated by Hospital native Damian Sheehy. O'Donnell's Garage has opened up adjacent to Gannon's impressive premises and Murphy's Garage has opened up on the Emly Road. 

“We have a new veterinary surgeon John Daly who opened up at Upper Main Street Hospital and his wife Emma also opened a dog grooming business. I welcome all these new businesses to Hospital and I would like the general public to support them,” said Mr Mitchell.

The former mayor said the one thing Hospital does need is new houses. “I campaigned for works to be carried out in upgrading the sewerage treatment plant and presently that is about to happen so l assume in the not too distant future we will be building homes for people as there is a shortage of supply. 

“I am a proud Hospital man and its onwards and upwards for the Hospital community,” he concluded.