Kildare butcher makes the cut on international stage

They might be more used to handing out the prime cuts, but a leading Irish butcher is today celebrating being lauded as one itself after winning one of the most sought after food prizes in Ireland and Britain.

Nolan’s family butcher shop in Kilcullen, Co Kildare, was yesterday named best butcher shop in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales at the Countryside Alliance Annual Awards in London’s the House of Lords.

The well-known fourth- generation family shop, which has been in business since 1886, wowed judges with its high-quality produce, value for money and attention to customers’ needs.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner after the achievement, store owner James Nolan said the victory — which comes after previous wins in Irish-only contests in previous years — would not have been possible without the hard work of staff and loyalty of customers.

However, Mr Nolan confessed there was a bigger reason than most for why the win means so much.

“I dreamt of having 10 or 12 butchers around the country when I took over, but I got very ill and had to go on dialysis.

“On Jul 25 1987 I was given a transplant from my sister Catherine.

“I’m one of the lucky ones, it could have all been so different, so this really is just such a wonderful achievement,” he explained.

Mr Nolan, 45, will this weekend be celebrating the win with his wife and family, including his 82-year-old father — who “built the store almost from the ground up” — his 23 staff, including his aptly named manager, John Lambe.

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