McArdle Meats is one of the best known butchers in Dundalk and over the years, its customer base has expanded significantly to the extent that there are now three shops bearing the McArdle's name. Managing director of the chain, Keith Shortt spoke to the Wee County Yearbook about the growth of the business and its involvement with GAA sponsorship on a local level. Louth is a county that has made progress on the football field in recent years and more specifically since Monaghan native Eamon McEneaney came on board as manager. However, they have yet to make a major breakthrough on the national stage, much to the frustration of their many supporters. Keith actually hails from Castleblayney and has followed the fortunes of the Faughs for many years, but since beginning work with Frank McArdle at the young age of 16, he has had a close allegiance with the Wee County. "I came to work with Frank McArdle as a butcher when I was just 16. And then when Frank was retiring from the business he asked would I be interested in taking over and of course I was," said Keith. "I was just 20 at the time and I've being running the business for the past eight years, during which time we have extended the chain of shops to include a further two premises. The original shop is on Clanbrassil Street, while we also have one at the Marshes in Dundalk as well as a new shop in Finglas, Co Dublin. "We did have another shop in Dundalk, but I felt that the one at the Marshes was taking from it, so I decided to close that down. However, we do have a new production facility on the Coes Road. "All our meats are brought in here and worked on before going out to the shops. There are 70 employed in total between everything and I'm delighted with the way the business has grown over the last few years," he added. Keith feels that it is very important to give something back to the local community and GAA sponsorship is just one of the ways that he supports the area. "I wouldn't have an allegiance with any one club as many of my customers come from a number of different clubs, so I do my best to support them all. I feel that it is essential to give something back as we're making our living from our customers and it's important to do this. We've always supported the clubs in some way or another and hopefully that will continue to be the case for many years to come." Running three shops and raising a young family doesn't leave Keith with much free time, but this doesn't stop him from keeping an eye on the fortunes of both Louth and Monaghan. "I wouldn't get to many matches as we're open seven days a week in two of the shops and I'd be in the ones in Dundalk, every day of the week, while I'd visit Finglas three or four times a week. "However, I feel that both Louth and Monaghan have been making progress in recent years. Louth have come on a good bit under Eamon McEneaney, they just need one big result to set them on the road, while Monaghan have been unfortunate to have met Kerry over the last couple of years. The GAA is a big part of everyday life in Ireland and almost everyone has a connection to it in someway." This year's county champions Newtown Blues showed that club football in Louth is as strong as ever as they pushed Dublin kingpins Kilmacud Crokes all the way in the Leinster club senior football championship quarterfinal before narrowly losing out to Crokes. Work is ongoing in the county to develop the underage structure and this has proven to be a long process, but there is a great hope in the county that it will pay dividends sooner rather than later. Like all good teams, McArdle's can draw comparisons to the GAA in that it is a group effort that makes them so successful and Keith was keen to hail the part that his staff have played in the flourishing of the business. "Some of the lads here have been with the business for over 20 years, while other have many years service also. I can't speak highly enough of the staff. They really are very good workers, while they are customer friendly as well. They are a very loyal bunch and they've been one of the main reasons behind the success of the business. "All staff are highly trained and can deal with the customers needs. We provide a wide range of services covering a wide variety of meats at a reasonable price. We also have numerous special offers on prices and this is important to us as with the way the economy is at the moment, some people are beginning to find it tough." McArdles is a thriving business and one that has been providing a loyal and efficient service to the people of Dundalk and surrounding areas for many years. Keith has maintained that loyalty since taking over eight years ago through sponsorship to most sporting organisations in the area, while also ensuring that the McArdles name is still one of the top butchers' shop in the county. Tweet

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