Today, we visited two long-standing local businesses in the Northern Donegal region. We first took a tour of the Tyrconnell Tribune, a regional newspaper that’s gospel in this area. It’s a tradition to grab a copy and give it a read. We met with the chief editor, who walked us through the various challenges that come with producing a newspaper every week. What stood out to me the most was how the paper plays a significant role in the community. He showed us a photo of a local icon, a 90-year-old man who still delivers bread to the local shops. That recognition builds trust. And honestly, that trust seems to go both ways—the paper gives space to the community, and the community continues to read every week.
After that, we met with McNutt of Donegal, a wool and textile business right on the water in Downings. I learned a great deal about the company’s history and also how the broader economy and politics, such as Brexit, have impacted local businesses. But what I didn’t expect was how up and down their journey has been. We met the owner, who took over the business from his father, initially attempting to push the brand into high fashion. However, fashion trends are constantly changing, and he said it was just not reliable. The business ended up going bankrupt. Still, in the ’90s, he and his brother brought it back, this time focusing on simpler items like scarves and blankets, one-size-fits-all designs, and that shift proved successful. Since then, they’ve had to weather some storms, such as COVID-19 and Brexit, but overall, they’ve found a system that suits the area and their customers.
The connection between the two businesses lies in their deep roots in this rural area. They might offer different things, such as news and textiles, but both rely on community trust. The Tribune gives people updates and stories that matter to them. McNutt offers products that feel local and familiar. Both appeal to a place where people know each other, talk to each other, and care about what’s going on.
And the rural setting is part of their identity. It’s not a big city where everything is fast-paced and impersonal. Here, businesses grow because people believe in them. The Tribune doesn’t need to chase clicks, and McNutt doesn’t need to follow every trend. They just need to stay consistent, be honest, and keep showing up. That seems to be what works around here, and maybe what keeps these brands going year after year.
