Going from strength to strength since starting in 2015, Mc G Cakes is building a big reputation with more potential still to unlock

THE story of Mc G Cakes is one that is now almost a decade old.

The business, founded by Brian McGonagle, has been delighting the people of Sligo with homemade treats, flowers and other items to make a big occasion feel special.

Speaking about his creative background, Brian said: “Having always had a creative head and I suppose business head from an early age I had my first market stall when I was probably 12 or 13 selling handmade greeting cards at the weekend, this led me into attending ceramic classes with Rachel Quinn Ceramics in Sligo.

“There I learned a variety of skills in building and moulding, and having been offered work for the summer at the pottery, Rachel thought me the importance of perfecting the product and attention to detail at each stage of the process as with ceramics once it dries past that stage it can’t be rectified and you have to start the piece again.

“This attention to detail at each step is something that has stuck with me since and used daily in my own work, I’m incredibly grateful to have had that opportunity and mentoring at a young age.

“Having been accepted to LSAD (Limerick School of Art and Design) to study ceramics, the path was set to continue in the work I had built up skills in over the last few years but after a summer catering job with Courtyard Catering in Sligo, I really enjoyed the buzz of the kitchen and ended up deferring the placement in Limerick to attend catering college in Enniskillen at night while working in a local bakery full-time.

“The plan was never to start a business at age 20, however when I was working in the bakery environment I noticed a gap in the market for something of a higher quality that still tasted great and in July 2015, Mc G Cakes was born and never looked back.

“It’s been a great nine year road to get to where the brand is today but if it’s worth doing, go all in and do it right.”

In December 2019, Mc G Cakes began a delivery service. Although it had a slow start, little could Brian have expected how prepared he was for the necessity of home deliveries just a few months later.

“In December 2019 we started doing bake mail where people could order their goods and have them delivered to the house.

“The idea didn’t quite take off at first because people didn’t seem to really get the point of it, but little did we know within a few months we would all be relying on this kind of service to some degree and we were very fortunate to be able to hit the ground running and have our website up to date and ready to respond to demand.”

Mc G Cakes previously had stalls in Sligo town but found the need for a more spacious outlet was needed. This became a reality just last Christmas when they opened a pop-up shop for the first time in Grattan Street.

“Our first time to have a stall was in 2018 at the Quayside Shopping Centre and we were overwhelmed by the response we got.

“We went back in 2022 to huge queues and felt that if we wanted to bring what we do into the town, we were going to need a premises we could use as we had outgrown the market stall.

“Finding a suitable unit was a challenge but Dympna Mannion was extremely helpful when we enquired about using The Style Emporium as a pop-up shop.

“She was just delighted to see new life in the building and we are extremely grateful to have the use of a premises in such a prominent location.”

Speaking about their first pop-up shop last year and plans for the coming months, Brian said: “Christmas was brilliant. We wanted to be open in time for the Late Late Toy Show and we were just so busy in the lead-up to the toy show right through to the last days of Christmas shopping.

“We are looking forward to being back again throughout the year, Valentine’s Day was another busy period for us and we are now preparing for Mother’s Day and Easter.”

Another exciting development is The Cake Academy which launches in Ballintogher this year.

“We are starting the bake school in the summer. Classes will be thought by myself and other artists. It is the first academy of its kind to come to Sligo and provides a great opportunity for people with a passion for baking to upskill and hone their ability.”

Aside from being a pop-up shop, Mc G Cakes is not a walk-in business. However, are there plans for a permanent set-up in Sligo town?

Brian answered: “It is definitely in the plans for sure if the right space becomes available and the time is right for me, I have been careful to build the business model I wanted slowly over the past nine years so like all good things it will be worth the wait.”

The Mc G Cakes pop-up shop is open from 10am until 4pm from Thursday to Saturday and 12 noon until 4pm on Sunday.

Enquiries can be made via www. mcgcakes.ie for all events including weddings, birthdays and corporate events.