GRIEF AT LOSS OF POPULAR BRIAN
Sad farewell to much-loved butcher and beekeeper (50)
MUCH-LOVED craft butcher Brian Dunbar from Craanford sadly passed away on Friday.
He ran the very successful Brian Dunbar Craft Butchers on John Street in Gorey for many years. Brian previously learned his craft with Terry Redmond Butchers and started his own business at the same premises over ten years ago. He continued to trade there until 2016. Brian also was a noted beekeeper and was one of the founding members of the Gorey Beekeepers Association in 2000.
SADNESS hung in the air of Gorey on Friday as news broke that well-known craft butcher Brian Dunbar (50) from Craanford had passed away.
Brian ran the very successful Brian Dunbar Craft Butchers on John Street in Gorey for many years. Brian had previously learned his craft with Terry Redmond Butchers and started his own business at the same premises over ten years ago. He continued to trade there until 2016.
Brian was a noted beekeeper and was one of the founding members of the Gorey Beekeepers Association, along with friends Ger Williams, Michael Wildes, Gerry Boland, and Ben Harden.
The Gorey Beekeepers was set up in 2000. After attending a few beekeepers meetings in Arklow, they decided to try and set one up in Gorey as most people who attended Arklow were from Gorey.
Brian’s friend Ger Williams said their ‘very first meeting was held in the Loch Garman Arms’ and a total of 22 people turned up. He said they were then ‘told they had enough people to set up’ the Gorey Beekeepers Association. To this day, the organisation has 70 members.
Brian gave a range of beekeeping lectures in various venues across Ireland and served two years as chairperson. He often represented the Association in competitions, and won numerous awards for his honey.
In 2014, Brian and beekeeper Michael Flynn scooped the prize for ‘Best 24 Jars’ of honey in the International Class at the Clonmel Honey Show.
Not only that, but they also won the prize for Best Frame Suitable for Extraction. This then went on to win the prize for Supreme Frame of Honey in Show.
Both men went on to represent Ireland in the World Cup that year at the London Honey International Show.
Brian was involved in a lot of outdoor organisations and clubs, including the local gun club and hare coursing. ‘He never went into anything unless he knew he would like it,’ said Ger.
Ger said the main thing for Brian was his family and supporting them came first. ‘He was a determined and great man,’ added Ger.
Brian was laid to rest yesterday (Monday) in the adjoining cemetery to St Patrick’s Church, Craanford following funeral Mass.
He is survived by his wife Betty, daughters Katie, Roisin and Emma, mother Catherine, sisters, brothers, mother-inlaw, father-in-law, brothersin-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.