McGinty’s Fruit Company is presently one of the largest wholesale and supplier in Ireland. Two brothers, the late Cathal and the late Peter McGinty built up the business to its present day success trading under the names Donegal Fruit Company and Peter McGinty Haulage Company.
Their father, Barney, came to the town in 1903 and served his time in McLoones Draper Shop (now Dunlevy’s) before setting up his own shop with Dan Furey in the premises which is now Begleys Chemist. He married a Margaret Dolan from Cavan and they remained in the business until 1928.
Both Cathal and Peter began their working life in McCaligs wholesale firm in Clairemorris and gained their experience on the road selling china and hardware. It was by accident that they finally found themselves in the fruit business. It was after the war and supplies of fresh fruit were available for the first time. A wholesaler from Castlerea used to place an order for 1,000 oranges weekly but to scarcity recieved only 200 which was in effect all he needed. He was in a dilemma on the day when he recieved and was billed for the full number of 1,000. He appealed to Cathal to use his contacts and selling-ability to off-load the excess which is what Cathal effortlessly achieved.
From there, the two brothers took advantage of the demand for fruit starting their own company importing and distributing. The company now imports produce from the US, Canada, Chile, New Zealand, England and the continent. The haulage side of the business involves delivering and dropping goods particularly fish and frozen foods , on a national and international level. The company continued to expand extensively, first by amalgamating with Fullertons of Letterkenny and supplying the counties of Donegal, Derry, Fermanagh and Sligo, then by forming a partnership with Ffyfes in Sligo and delivering down the West of the country, Ffyfes is a major importer in the UK. Without down, todays thriving business owes its success to the entrepreneurial flair of the brothers Cathal and Peter, they certainly made their mark on Donegal Town!
Nowadays, the store has moved from its original location in Milltown (now occuplied by BT Fitness) to its location in Drumlonagher, just on the outskirts of Donegal Town. The business is now being run by Peter’s son Peadar with the help of Mary his wife, Edel his sister, Peter his son and many, many more loyal staff. Peadar’s grandson Jamie has been known to help out from time to time as the company enters into it’s 4th generation!
Donegal Fruit Company 