Change of direction for Mayo business, Field & Stream

MAYO’S premier stockist of all leading brands for fishing and shooting enthusiasts, Field & Stream in Castlebar, is discontinuing their involvement with the sale of firearms, writes Tom Gillespie.

The decision by proprietor Pat Quinn has been brought about because of the ‘huge cost’ in meeting the ever-tougher regulations imposed by the various licensing authorities.

On the renewal of his licence to sell firearms, three years ago, Pat had to fork out almost €40,000 to bring his premises up to standard to meet the licensing requirements.

But while he is scaling down on firearms sales, his core fishing tackle and outdoor gear business will be ramping up a notch in the future.

The Quinn involvement in the Castlebar business sector dates back 65 years when his parents, Pat and Rita, set up a chemist shop on Bridge Street - now Brontannas.

Pat took up the story: “My parents had a chemist shop down on the bridge, the only place in town that doesn’t pay rates as it is built over the river.

“They bought the premises on Main Street and moved up here, bringing the chemist shop with them.

“Unfortunately the place went on fire and was burned down. They were only after moving into the house. There was an old chimney pipe which was twisted in backways from a range in through a wooden panel. It was smouldering for a few days and my mother smelt it and said there was something burning.

“When the fire broke out my farther got my sister out but my mother, who was pregnant at the time, wouldn’t come out. She was afraid of the fire.”

Pat continued: “When the firemen arrived they didn’t have a ladder long enough to reach up to the top, third storey floor. One of the firemen got up on the ladder. He must have been very strong. He stood on the top rung of the ladder and caught my mother as my father lowered her down.”

Both Pat’s parents were badly burned and were hospitalised for a months but thankfully, the expectant baby, Deirdre, arrived safe and well.

Pat continued: “After that my father stayed on the bridge for a long time with his fishing tackle shop.

“He moved the shop to Main Street in 1969, where my mother was running the chemist shop.

“My father had the cellar excavated downstairs and put an entrance onto the street.”

When Pat’s father died in 1988 he took over the business while his mother ran the chemist up until her death in 2017.

Pat explained why he has decided to cease the sale of firearms, stating: “I have got to the stage now where I am getting out of the firearms side of the business. I spent dearly - €40,000 - three years ago to comply with the fire regulations.

“My licence to sell firearms is now up for renewal again and it is going to cost me another load of money again if I have to comply with the wishes of the gardaí. It its not worth it. I am only working for other people.

“There are so many regulations now that it is costing businesses a lot of money and unfortunately there are no grants available to enable them to comply with the regulations.”

As he winds down the firearms side of the business Pat has a half-price sale on all guns and ammunition remaining in stock.

And he stated: “Anyone who has a gun in storage here should please arrange to have it collected as soon as possible and have it stored elsewhere or they will be disposed of.

“I have a sale on the firearms now, mainly shotguns, single and double barrelled, and rifle range rifles and ammunition.

“My core business will continue with the fishing tackle, outdoor gear and the Airsoft, plastic pellet guns.

“I also have special discounts on fishing tackle and outdoor gear, gifts, binoculars and knives as the new fishing season opens.

“We are also the region's leading supplier of Airsoft weaponry and I am still doing gifts and jewellery.”