A labour of love in Donegan’s in Bailieborough
MEET THE FINALISTS: BEST FAMILY BUSINESS
This year marks a special milestone for Donegan’s Garden & Leisure in Bailieborough – celebrating 30 years in business and a proud nominee for the annual Cavan Business & Tourism Awards. What started in 1995 as a small family bike shop has become the number one store for Stihl chainsaws in Ireland and, most recently, expert for arborist equipment. “A niche,” Seán Donegan admits, but one that attracts people from all over.
Tucked in a side road off Bailieborough’s main street, Donegan’s has become a trusted name locally for sales and repairs of garden machinery. With his father’s mechanical background and his mother’s knack for keeping the books, the shop thrived addressing the demand. “The grass will always grow,” says Seán, explaining how his father Dermot took the chance expanding from motorbike engines to lawnmowers and chainsaws.
After a stint in Australia and a degree set for an office job, Seán missed home and spun back to the family’s business. “Bailieborough is a lovely, old-fashioned town, everyone is friendly,” says Seán who can’t walk out the door without meeting someone he knows, but wouldn’t want it any other way. “I love it!”
In 2008, Seán took over the reins alongside his wife Sinead, helping the company to grow further with the addition of a fully stocked showroom and a thriving online store. Now, his children like sitting on the ride-on-lawnmowers on display, too young still to get stuck into the business, but happy to potter about.
The business is a team effort, “quite a gang” Seán says fondly. Three people are employed in the workshop alongside the founder and three more up front with Seán. From chainsaws to hedge trimmers, ride-on mowers to the increasingly popular robotic lawnmowers, customers can browse the latest equipment and receive expert advice from staff who know the machines inside and out. As Seán says, “What we sell, we service” – and every product sold comes with demonstrations, tips on safe use, and ongoing support. Making the shortlist for Best Family Business is not just an acknowledgement of three decades of hard work but recognition for a small-town business that grew into a nationwide success without losing its personal touch. As Seán reflects: “We’re very lucky. It’s not easy to keep a business going these days, but we’ve built something unique here.”
While he is packing online orders and talking on the phone, he might even find time to acknowledge the family business’s achievement with a 30th anniversary celebration of Donegan’s.
CONTACT US
Donegan's Garden & Leisure on 0429666725 or log on to www.donegan.ie