The Donohoe family has a long history of retailing in Cavan and the surrounding counties of Leitrim and Fermanagh. Nowadays, Darren Donohoe fronts the successful family business which incorporates Donohoes SuperValu Ballyconnell, Donohoes SuperValu Ballinamore and Donohoes Centra, Belturbet.
From humble beginnings, the Donohoe Group has grown to become one of the largest employers in the region and has earned a reputation for outstanding customer service and quality fresh produce. The family has been involved in retail since the 19th century when Darren’s great, great grandparents opened a shop in Milltown near Belturbet. Years later, Darren’s grandparents John and Phyllis, relocated the business to Killesher in Co. Fermanagh.
In 1994, the family returned to their Cavan roots when Darren’s parents Padraig and Mary opened what is now Donohoes Centra in Belturbet. Originally an independent store, it then became Vivo before taking on the Centra franchise. In 2001, Padraig and Mary purchased a second store in Ballyconnell which initially traded as a Costcutter before changing to Centra and finally to SuperValu. Five years later, Donohoes SuperValu in Ballinamore was opened. Between the three stores, 180 people are employed, while many more are employed indirectly.
“We have always been in the retail business. It’s in our blood,” smiles Darren, who took the reins from his parents six years ago.
“It’s a family tradition going back well over 100 years. We’ve come a long way since opening the Belturbet store. When we purchased the second store in Ballyconnell, it was only 1,000 sq. ft. It was revamped into a Centra and is now 10,000 sq. ft. SuperValu. The Ballinamore store was purchased as a SuperValu in 2006 and we have since doubled the floor space from 5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft.”
Centra and SuperValu are part of the Musgrave Group who are Ireland’s largest grocery and food distributor with hundreds of independently-owned stores nationwide. The two brands are well-established landmarks across Irish communities, and the Donohoe Group is proud to fly the flag for both in Belturbet, Ballyconnell and Ballinamore.
As well as supporting local jobs and industry, the Group offers shoppers a wide range of fresh and convenient products at exceptional prices. Located on Erne Hill, Belturbet, Donohoes Centra stocks the full complement of daily grocery needs and features a large deli, hot food and bakery section in addition to an adjoining filling station. Fresh hot foods, coffees, meats, salads and bakery produce are available throughout the day and there is also an ATM in store.
Similarly, Donohoes SuperValu in Realta Shopping Centre, Ballyconnell and Main Street, Ballinamore are synonymous with offering the complete range of everyday staple goods along with top-quality fresh foods. The Ballyconnell store also has an adjoining filling station and in-store ATM. Donohoes Ballinamore encompasses a Post Office and also features a fresh bakery, a fully-stocked deli, an all-day hot food counter, a large fruit and veg section, a tea and coffee station, an off licence and in-store ATM. Each of the stores are National Lottery agents.
The three stores are continually undergoing improvements to ensure customers have the best possible shopping experience. Ballinamore was significantly modernised in 2018, Ballyconnell was upgraded in 2016, while Belturbet received a facelift two years prior to that.
The Donohoe Group was quick to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in the community following the Covid-19 outbreak in March 2020. They started an initiative with local GAA clubs and later joined Musgrave’s nationwide ‘Club Together’ campaign, which saw SuperValu, Centra and the GAA come together to assist the elderly who are dependent on the goodwill of others for their food shopping needs.
“There was a great buy-in from the local GAA clubs whose club members rallied to the cause,” Darren recalls.
“While our turnover increased during the pandemic due to the travel restrictions which were in place, it was an extremely stressful and challenging time for everyone. We provided a free home delivery service for the elderly. We were also available to help out with pharmacy and fuel collection and deliveries. We didn’t want to see anyone stuck.”
As proud long-standing sponsors of the GAA Football and Hurling All-Ireland Championships, SuperValu and Centra are committed to inspiring the next generation of GAA stars. Through this sponsorship, SuperValu, Centra and the GAA bring together in true partnership three of the country’s most community-focused organisations. The Donohoe Group and the GAA share common values through focusing their approach on relationships, honesty, hard work, achievement and community identity.
SuperValu also sponsors the national Tidy Towns competition. To this end, the Donohue Group takes a very active role in the Ballinamore and Belturbet Tidy Town Committees’ annual Spring Clean. When the Belturbet Tidy Towns Committee had their gardening equipment stolen a few years ago, Donohoes Centra honoured a pledge to match the money raised through a GoFundMe campaign to buy new equipment.
“We try to support local community groups as much as we can,” continues Darren, whose aunt Eilisheen is also involved in the family business.
“We buy and support local as much as possible. The big focus is on fresh food, and delivering quality food at the best prices. Customer service is vital because you are nothing without your customers. Belturbet, Ballyconnell and Ballinamore are rural towns along the border where everybody knows everybody. It’s hugely important that when a customer comes into any of our stores, they have a positive experience.”
Looking to the future, Darren says: “We’re always looking to expand and to try different things. I’m only 36, so we’ll see what happens. Now is not the right time to expand with what’s happening in Ukraine. Energy costs are very high as a result, but hopefully things will settle down soon.”
As the Donohoe Group continues to go from strength to strength, Darren would like to take this opportunity to thank his customers and suppliers for their continued support as well as his staff for their hard work, dedication and expertise.
Donohoes Centra,
Erne Hill,
Belturbet,
Co. Cavan.
Tel: 049 9522 993
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.centra.ie
First published in Grocery & Retail Ireland magazine Vol 1 No 1, Winter 2022
