Haulie O’Neill
On Wednesday 20th April, 2022, I visited Mike ‘Haulie’ O’Neill at his home in Clonakilty. Mike and his wife Marie own the artisan butcher shop MJ O’Neills on Pearse Street. It started as a pub and butcher in 1914, before Mikes father Haulie and his wife Eileen decided to focus on the meat side of the business. In his spare time, Mike has successfully played and managed the Clonakilty senior GAA team, and is also father to Ms. O’Neill in Scoil na mBuachailli. Here is my interview with Haulie.
Harry: What was your favorite toy when you were young?
A model railway train that went around in a circle
Harry: What sports did you play?
I played football, hurling, soccer, and a little bit of basketball and volleyball.
Harry: What is your favorite food and drink?
My favorite food is lamb chops cooked in the oven, and my favorite drink at this stage I suppose is water.
Harry: What do you do in your spare time?
Most people would say I sleep, but I like to run and walk, and be involved in football.
Harry: Who is your favorite football player of all time?
That is a tough question Harry. I’d say Gordon Banks, who was a goalkeeper with the Stoke and England football teams a long time ago. He won the World Cup with England in 1966.
Harry: What is your best sporting memory?
I have two. Imperial Call winning the Gold Cup horse race at Cheltenham, and Clonakilty winning the Cork County championship in 1996.
Harry: When did you become a butcher?
I helped in the shop when I was small, and I became a butcher when I was 19.
Harry: What do you like about being a butcher?
I like meeting people and talking to them.
Harry: Where do you see butchers in 40 years? Will meat be growing on trees?
Absolutely! Ooh – that’s a tough question. I suppose it will be very artisan. There won’t be many craft butchers, where people are willing to pay the price for a quality product.
Harry: What worries you?
At this point in time, the war in Ukraine worries me. Other than that, what worries me, I suppose global warming.
Harry: Is the future for Clonakilty GAA bright?
Yes. Because of the young people involved, and the young talent that is growing up, and the amount of people that are working with and developing the young people.
Harry: This is my last question. It’s my signature question. What advice would you give to people today?
There is nothing achieved in life without working hard, no matter what it is. Unless you win the Lotto. Everybody who got to be anyone, whether a top sports star, top CEO, it was hard work, nothing else. Be it study, be it in school, be it in life, your family, your home, your dog, your horse. Every single thing in life takes work.
Harry: Thank you very much for the interview.