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Introduction
Ever since O'Donovans opened it's Princes Street shop, we have prided ourselves on a reputation for excellence, on supplying the finest-quality products and that nothing is too much trouble for our customers. The O'Donovans story is tied up in the customers who have passed through its doors, the people who have worked in the store, written about it and contributed to its unique charms. |
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The Early Days
 The O'Donovans story started in Cork city, when west Cork farmer Hannah O'Donovans set up as a provisions retailer in Cork city, with a special focus on bacon and poultry. To capitalise on the busy city center trade Hannah O'Donovan took over the current Princes Street premises. From a small shop employing a couple of assistants Hannah built up the business into a thriving store selling bacon, poultry, eggs, cheese and vegetables and continued to innovate by adding new products and a delivery service for its customers.
Hannah married Liam Shorten, who had returned to Cork after gaining valuable experience working for the Lipton Tea company in the UK. Together they continued to build the business. O'Donovans delivery vans were a regular sight for the people of Cork as they serviced householders and businesses in the expanding suburbs of Cork. |
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The 50's
 In the 1950's Hannah and William's son Liam Shorten took over the business and developed O'Donovans by adding new product offerings and by continuing to enhance the Princes street store. During the early 60's when Ireland's eating habits were changing and more and more people were eating out, O'Donovans identified the opportunity of supplying caterers, hotels and restaurants with specialty cuts of fresh premium quality meats and meat products. O'Donovans reputation was further enhanced as it carved out a significant niche in catering for the Christmas market and the busy December period saw O'Donovans contracting several extra vans and doubling staff numbers to cater for the huge demand for it's famous Turkeys, Hams and Spiced Beef, a Cork speciality. |
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The 80's & 90's
 In the early 1980's Liam Shorten was joined in the business by his sons David and Mark. Significant modernization of the Princes street store took place and a number of market leading and innovative product lines such as a salad bar, hampers, prepared meals and new meat products were added to the range. In the early 1990's O'Donovans opened it's second store at the Wilton Shopping Center to facilitate it's customers. |
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2006
 O'Donovans continues to trade successfully from it's Princes Street and Wilton stores and maintains the proud tradition of supplying quality meats, cheeses and meals to the people of Cork. O'Donovans has recently launched a range of premium breakfast meats including rashers, sausages and puddings in convenient retail packs. These new products aim to provide customers with traditional Butcher quality products and are available through retailers nationwide. |
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