Cork's legendary O'Flynn's butchers is cutting ties as brothers aged 77 and 82 hang up their aprons

They serve and they survive: butchers John O'Flynn & Sons has English Market and Marlboro Street Cork history dating to 1898 is sadly shutting as 'sons' retire. Thankfully  other intergenerational  family-owned Cork businesses continue to trade. Mary Leland salutes the stalwarts of our shops and streets

Cutting ties: pedigree family business has roots back to 1898. Staff Jackie Falvey (left) has a 'mere' 23 years working at O'Flynn Butchers), 'Sons' Simon O'Flynn has 65 years served, and brother  Patrick O'Flynn 63 years. Tom Collins has 43 years under his apron.The shop closes on 28th January 2023. Pic; Larry Cummins

"IT  all ties people into the one place’, says Patrick O’Flynn, brother of the equally famous Simon.

The mood is elegiac as the departure from Cork’s city streets of O’Flynns Master Butchers marks a loosening of the links connecting a familial trading community.