Tributes have poured in after a family butcher announced it was closing 'due to circumstances beyond our control'

In a social media post, McKay Family Butchers said: ‘Due to circumstances beyond our control, we will be closing our DUNGIVEN SHOP.

‘Our last day of trading will be this Saturday 27/6/2026

‘This is not a decision that has been taken lightly, but one we feel is right for our family.

‘We would like to thank everyone for your support since we opened our doors in 1999!

‘It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve you.

‘To our staff, past and present, thank you for your efforts and dedication.

‘It is truly appreciated.

‘All vouchers (still in date up to 27/6/26) will be honoured or refunded.

‘Thank You from our family to yours

Sean and Fergal McKay’

Messages of support from customers included:

• Carol O'Kane – ‘With great difficulty I am trying to write this, I am truly gutted to hear this, thankyou for all your beautiful meat over the years and for all the clubs and events you sponsored over the years, this is a really sad day for the town of Dungiven
• Sinead Mckeown – ‘Sad to hear this news sean and fergal. A big loss for Dungiven but good luck for the future’
• Roisin Mullan – ‘Sorry to learn of you leaving Dungiven, will be sadly missed. Good luck for the future’
• Regina Mcvey – ‘So sorry to hear this, a big loss to the Dungiven community. Thanks for the years of excellent service providing great quality meat. Thanks to Ryan and Dessie for making every customer very welcome and friendly banter. You will be sorely missed’
• Gabriel Deighan – ‘So sorry to hear this news.. it was a great wee shop and will be hard to find one as good. Meats where always top quality and the lads where always more than sound.
• Jo O'Reilly – So sad to be reading this! Will miss the craic as well as the good meat! Big loss for the town. Best wishes for the future’
• Bridie O'Kane – ‘Sean Fergal and McKay family sorry to hear yous are closing. A big loss for Dungiven and surrounding area. Always great banter not forgetting Dessie and Ryan. Good luck in Ballycastle’
• Aisleain McGill - 'Very sorry to hear this - thank you for providing such an excellent service and high quality produce for all those years. You will be badly missed indeed’

And only a few days ago, another post on social media, announced the sale of a ‘successful butchery business’.

It says:

Location: Dungiven

-Established 1999

-Range of appliances, furnishings, fixtures and fittings all in good working order

-Accounts available

-Prime town centre location

-Renewable lease on reasonable terms

With scope for expansion and business growth, this is an excellent opportunity to hit the ground running by taking on a successful butchers shop with huge potential.

Please get in touch for further information

No time wasters please’.