By Róise Collins
THE Boyles have bid an emotional farewell to the Butterrock Restaurant as they prepare to close their doors after two decades of service in Dungloe.
The thriving restaurant at the heart of the town has been a firm favourite among locals and visitors for over twenty years.
Husband and wife, John and Ann Boyle opened the family run business over twenty years ago and are both devastated to say goodbye to what they described as a lifetime of great company and craic with their many customers.
“We had great craic with the people and they enjoyed our food, so it really worked for everybody but sadly we have run our race,” John told the Donegal News.
He said his wife Ann has an even deeper connection to the business as she has worked there for close to 35 years, which started with the old coffee dock almost 15 years before they took over.
John explained how difficulty in acquiring staff in recent time has been a huge factor that led to their closure.
Ann boasted as she described the many staff who have worked with them throughout the years as exceptional, particularly the younger staff who took up summer jobs. However, they became harder and harder to come by.
This blow was felt further when a long term staff member Margaret Mary, who they both fondly described as their rock for many years, recently moved on.
“If we had it our way, we wouldn’t be going anywhere yet as we have children and grandchildren to put through college, who are all working here, but we just have ran out of steam.
“We decided it was time to bite the bullet and close her down,” John said.
Although the Boyles are preparing for their upcoming retirement they remain hopeful that in the near future there will be somebody who decides to take over the building which has been on the market for the last two years.
“The business is here for them, all they have to do is show up,” John said.
In an emotional post online customers shared their well wishes and memories, many others have dropped in for one last cuppa as the Boyles prepare to wind down the business in the weeks ahead.
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