Search

11 Dec 2025

Rising costs, staff shortages cited as Raphoe shop announces impending closure

The owners of Harkins Gala in Raphoe said the decision had been made with “a heavy heart,” citing rising operating costs, staffing shortages and increased competition as the reasons behind the closure

Raphoe embarks on a hunt for lost monastery as Pettigo celebrates its rich past

Raphoe

Harkin’s Gala in Raphoe has announced it will close its doors on Christmas Eve - bringing an end to two and a half years of serving the local community.

The owners said the decision had been made with “a heavy heart,” citing rising operating costs, staffing shortages and increased competition as the reasons behind the closure.

The business paid warm tribute to its loyal customers, thanking everyone who supported the store since it opened. 

The statement said: “We would like to thank each and every customer who visited our store over the last two and a half years for your custom and indeed many the wee chat,” the statement read.

They described Raphoe as “a great wee town,” noting the consistent footfall and community spirit that greeted them daily and added: “We wish the town and all the business community in Raphoe every success into the future."

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!


Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.


Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.