THE people have spoken and the results are in – a Co Kildare butcher has won an Oscar for his chops.
James Nolan, who is the fourth generation in his family to stand behind the counter of his renowned Kilcullen shop, was in London last week to receive the honour.
“It was just an unbelievable occasion,” said a thrilled James. “It was like watching the Oscars on television but we were one of the nominees.”
The Countryside Alliance Awards, nicknamed the ‘Rural Oscars’, are held annually to reward excellence in rural Britain and Ireland.
Nolan’s was voted for by the public – with about 20 per cent of the voters choosing the landmark Kilcullen shop as their top choice.
The business is no stranger to success, having been named the best butchers in Britain and Ireland in 2012, before taking the ‘Oscar’ this year.
James can also take pride in the fact that his was the only Irish business to be nominated this time around.
Tradition plays a major part in the service James and his wife, Emma, provide in store.
“We’re on the go since 1886, when my great-grandfather opened up,” he explains. “Then my grandfather and father each took over before I did.”
While James has revolutionised the business over the years, it was his father, he believes, who is to be credited with getting Nolan’s to where it is today.
“My father Andy built it from nothing,” said James. “He invested all the money back into the business and it really took off then.”
“We’ve got a little lad at home, Andrew James, so I’m hoping he’ll be the fifth generation to run the business!” James laughed.
See More: Kildare, Nolan's Butchers, Rural Oscars
