McElhinney's

McElhinney's is a 3-storey fifteen-department store located in Ballybofey, County Donegal. It is the largest department store in Ireland outside Dublin.^[2] It has been named National Retail Store of the Year and Best Superstore at the Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, among other awards for Outstanding Customer Service, Occasionwear, Bridal and more.^[3] Alongside Finn Park, MacCumhaill Park and a few hotels, McElhinney's is one of Ballybofey's more recognisable landmarks.^[4]

McElhinney's

Company type	Department store
Founded	1971
Founder	John McElhinney
Headquarters	Ballybofey , County Donegal
Number of locations	One
Key people	John McElhinney
Owner	John McElhinney
Number of employees	Over 200[1]
Website	www.mcelhinneys.com

There is another store with the same name in County Meath but there is no connection between that and McElhinney's of Ballybofey.^[2][5]

History

McElhinney's was founded by John McElhinney in 1968. John McElhinney spent his time driving around Donegal selling his wares from the back of a van. In 1971, he established a small shop in Glenfin Street, Ballybofey, from which he operated for eight years before opening the current Department Store on Lower Main Street in 1979.^[2][6] The current business has faced adversity throughout the years, including surviving both a flood in 1985, and firebomb attack in 1987.^[7]

In 1977, the store began to sell Wedding Dresses.^[8] The Bridal Rooms have been nominated and won multiple awards including; Best Bridal Retailer 2016 by Xposé Frockadvisor Awards,^[9] Bridalwear Supplier of the Year 2016 by Weddings Online Awards,^[10] and Wedding Boutique of the Year (Borders) at The Irish Wedding Awards 2017,^[11] among many others.