A Co Tyrone family butcher shop has picked up the prestigious ‘Best in Ireland’ award by the McKenna Guides.
Lowe Bros Master Butchers in Stewartstown, now in its third generation after opening in 1955, picked up the 2022 award after being recognised by food writers John and Sally McKenna.
The McKenna plaque is now sitting proudly in the butchers in the Square area of the Stewartstown shop.
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Kevin Lowe, whose father and uncle started the business, took over the Stewartstown butchers in 1979 and the rest is history.
“We are absolutely over the moon to be recognised with this award,” Kevin told MyTyrone.
“We have worked so hard on the shop and our products to make it the best it can be.
“We have won a lot of awards in the past but this really means a lot to us - it’s great for us and great for the village of Stewartstown as well.
"This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff and to the support of our wide ranging customer base, whom we would like to take this opportunity to thank."
Describing the store, the guide states that it is a “truly exceptional, bright and shining retail space behind which is a massive series of preparation areas which the public don’t see, but which keep the shelves of this mighty empire stocked.”
It goes on to add that “people travel great distances to shop in Lowe Brothers elite butcher shop, and that comes as no surprise: the shop is delightful, and the service is beyond good: helpful; polite; informed; gracious.”
Kevin added that the judges for the award came all the way from West Cork to visit the shop, with Lowe Bros being judged on its building and the quality of produce.
He said: “We take a lot of pride in what we do here and it’s great to see our efforts being recognised.
"We are dedicated to building upon our success and in 2020, we made a substantial investment into the expansion of our premises in Stewartstown.
"This expansion includes a state of the art kitchen, bakery and innovation room together with additional butchery preparation areas.
“There is another major investment on the way as we are planning to double the size of our premises here, with a focus on high end ready meals.”
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