I would like to pay tribute if I may to a great entrepreneur who led the way in the Wholesale/Cash ‘n’ Carry industry in Ireland in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond, who passed away on the 14th of December 2025, Noel McCabe of Noel McCabe Distributors in Dublin.
In my opinion, the closure of this business marked the end of an era in the electrical and hardware wholesale trade in Ireland when it seemed almost overnight big brands supplied direct to retail and the Cash ‘n’ Carry, particularly in the White Goods trade, lost their place.
The passing of Noel at 93 years marks a far greater milestone as I don’t believe this type of person from such humble beginnings still exists.
His energy, enthusiasm, generosity and joie de vivre were infectious and those of us lucky enough to have worked with him will testify to that.
He was the eldest of a family of eight and from a small two bed house in the North Strand in Dublin. His horse, Vanton, won the Irish Grand National in 1992 and then he lived till a terrific age of 93 years.
He suffered greatly with some physical issues and had many operations from a very young age, but his smile seemed to overcome all no matter what was going on around him and he never stopped and never gave in.
Most of his adult life was spent in the Hardware Trade from his years in Burke Bros to the opening of Noel McCabe Distributors in 1976 and what an amazing 25 years was had there!
There were several changes in the VAT rates in Ireland and during those changes we could have opened 24/7 such were the crowds of customers from all 32 counties.
Those of us that had the privilege of working there will remember Thursday nights, when we opened till 8pm and there would be cars with roof racks fit for vans, trucks of all shapes and sizes including cattle trucks with manure still dripping down the sides arriving to collect their orders. But the atmosphere and the hustle and bustle were contagious, and we all enjoyed every minute of it.
That type of business is long gone and unfortunately most of the great characters that made it all happen have passed too. I will have many a glass of his favourite drink Creme de Menthe in his memory in the nights ahead. Goodbye Noel and Rest in Peace x
David McCabe
