THE BUTCHERS

PAT WHELAN, pictured, of the award-winning James Whelan Butchers in Dublin’s Rathmines says business is ‘unreal’, thanks to the popularity of barbecuing these balmy evenings. ‘Customer numbers aren’t up but spend is up because people are doing more entertaining,’ he explains. ‘I don’t want to sound sexist but I’d say in 90% of cases the fellas are doing the cooking. There’s this macho thing when they’re standing around the fire together. So this fella comes in to buy and he’s a butcher’s dream.

‘They are coming in with great big lists and it tends to be a meat-fest, they don’t know when to stop. They want steaks, burgers, sausages, grill sticks... I’d say 75% of the plate is covered in meat with a token bit of salad on the side!’

James Whelan has its own range of BBQ sauce, which is also, understandably, having a moment. ‘Keeping it made is the problem, it’s flying,’ says Whelan.

‘What’s really fantastic is that Irish people are seeing this good weather as an opportunity for sharing the table, which is what meals should be all about.’