Neven leads love-in for Kelly’s puddings

CUTTING THE RIBBON Nonegenarian Mamie Marley cutting the ribbon of the new manufacturing unit at Kelly’s Butchers Newport assisted by SeΡn Kelly and special guest Neven Maguire. Pic: Edward Reid

New manufacturing facility opened in Newport

Anton McNulty

There was a whole lot of love shown to the Kelly family in Newport on Friday afternoon as the award winning artisan butchers launched the latest chapter in their ever growing business.
Celebrity chef Neven Maguire performed the official opening of their new 6,000 square foot manufacturing facility which will now have the capacity to treble the capacity of their previous facility.
The Cavan chef has been a longstanding supporter of Kelly’s Butchers and uses their famous black and white pudding in his restaurant and all over the world.
A large number of people including the Cathoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Michael Holmes, Peter Hynes, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Fionnula Kenny, wife of Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and a number of well wishers were present for the launch.
Speaking at the launch, Neven Maguire described SeΡn Kelly and his family as an inspiration and that there was ‘so much love’ in the room for them.
“SeΡn is passionate about what he does. When I first met SeΡn 20 years ago I couldn’t believe his passion for the black and white pudding. But I love it, my customers love it, I love their consistency and their quality. I am overwhelmed to be here with your family and I will help promote it any way I can. They’ve put Newport, Mayo and Ireland on the map and a credit and an inspiration to so many people,” he said.
Kelly’s Butchers are a phenomenal success story in the West of Ireland and currently employ 22 people. The Kelly family have operated a butchers in the heart of Newport since the 1930s when SeΡn’s father Dominick started the business.
The new facility will increase the production capacity to close to 40 tonnes per week and in a sometimes emotional address, SeΡn thanked his family, his staff and all the people who have helped make their business a success.
Speaking to The Mayo News he said he remembered the first time he made 20 pounds of sausages and had to throw 17 pounds out because they would not sell.
“We tried in error but we got there,” he recalled. “This week we made seven tonne and the most we made in the old place was 12 and half tonne. We have the capacity now to make 40 tonne. We sell to Northern Ireland, different parts of England but we are not fully in this country and that is what we intend to do. We want to go nationwide.”
Paying tribute to Neven Maguire for opening the new facility, he said the Cavan chef has been a huge supporter of their pudding and thanked him for his support.
“When Nevin Maguire comes down, he brands my business what more could you ask for. He uses our products in his restaurant, you could not ask for anything else. Everybody in the country knows Nevin Maguire and his reputation of only using the best,” he said.
The €1 million investment was supported by South West Mayo Development Company and Mayo County Council. Gerry O’Neill, CEO of South West Mayo Development Company said they were delighted to support Kelly’s while Tanya Whyte, the Business Advisor with Mayo Enterprise Officer said the reasons for their success was hard work, innovation and excellence in marketing.
Cllr Michael Holmes praised the commitment of the Kelly family to Newport and said the name was now synonymous with Mayo.
“SeΡn always played at the front, he was always moving forward and he still is. He and the family have always been very progressive and have always been more than generous in helping their community as well. It’s a fantastic day for them and for Newport,” he said.
A special presentation was made to the Kelly family by Peter Hynes of a commemorative scroll for Mayo Day created by artist Fionntan Gogarty. “Kelly’s Black Pudding is being consumed everywhere from Beijing to Buenos Aires and everywhere in between. I wish them every success with their new venture and into what looks like a very bright future,” said Mr Hynes.