A Clonakilty butcher is calling it a day after carving out a place in the heart of the community for more than three decades.

Pearse Street staple Scully’s Butchers and Deli is closing its doors on November 15th after 20 years in business.

Dave Scully came to Clonakilty from Drimnagh, Dublin in 1991 and soon became one of the town’s best-loved traders, starting out at the Centra supermarket.

He is now hanging up his red apron to start a new chapter and enjoy an early retirement with wife Caroline.

Dave, who has worked as a butcher for 47 years, said: ‘This was an amazing story of serving the community for 34 years, and I will do that right up until the last sale on November 15th.

‘I am going to take a break to enjoy my retirement. Never mind serving film stars and famous people – it’s my customers who are the real stars during all this time.’

Dave used to run his award-winning business in a shop at Western Road, eventually finding his permanent base at the current premises on Pearse Street, in what was previously a clothes shop. He said among his plans for retirement was traveling, and possibly helping out with Meals on Wheels and Clonakilty Tidy Towns.

A farewell message to customers, displayed in the shop window, reads: ‘It was a long race, and 20 years later we are about to cross that line. To my neighbours on Pearse St., thank you for the great welcome you gave me and my family. Farewell for now, it has been an absolute pleasure and honour to have served you. From the bottom of our hearts, Dave and Caroline Scully.’

News of the closure has seen plenty of good wishes posted on social media, with Ann Marie O’Donovan writing: ‘Good luck to you Dave, we go back a long way to your days in Western Road when my dad was one of your customers, and of course Kathleen and the craic. All the very best to you and Caroline and you move to a new phase. Thank you and good luck.’

Eileen O’Brien wrote: ‘Good luck Dave and family and enjoy the next chapter. I remember you Dave even in Centra (a long time ago) and you were always so lovely to my Mam. Thank you x.’