Donegal Oil Company was established in 1954 by Arthur E. McMahon. Arthur was involved in the motor trade and was the founder of McMahon Bros who had garages based in Milford and in Letterkenny. Arthur E. McMahon’s vision and forward thinking in 1954 was to establish the first oil company in the county. When they opened their head office and distribution centre in Letterkenny and a depot in Killybegs, they were so far ahead of the times. They began to sell gasoline & lubricating oils to the motor industry, the farming industry and to the fishing industry.
As the business began to grow, Oil Burners were getting more & more common in the building of new homes and older homes were keen to have home heating oil installed. Donegal Oil Company started supplying home heating oil to homes all across the county.
Without the driving force behind the company and their management team, Donegal Oil Company would not have had the success it has had today.
Arthur McMahon commented, “Over the years the company has had three Managing Directors. The first was Michael Geary (deceased), Brian Rowan, now living near Galway, ran it for about 15 years and now I am delighted as the grandson of the original founder have been Managing Director since 1999. The late Jim Kennedy from Letterkenny was a guiding light for Donegal Oil Company, its management, its customers and its staff for almost 50 years as their Marketing Manager. When Jim sadly passed away, we had the Jim Kennedy Perpetual Trophy commissioned, which is presented to the winner of the Donegal International Rally every since. We were absolutely delighted that in 2015 Jim’s son Rory won the trophy. A tremendous occasion for Donegal Oil Company and the Kennedy family. We were involved in sponsoring the Donegal Rally for over 20 years.” Says Arthur.
“Kathleen McFadden guided the business along for over 40 years, as Office Manager. Her daughter Mairead McFadden also held that position until recently. The well known local accountant, Donal MacLochlainn (deceased) was a director for over 40 years. He was also involved with Stewart and MacLochlainn, Auditors and Accountants in Letterkenny. His steady hand and advice on the board was most valuable over the years.” Comments Arthur.
Donegal Oil Company was originally a Shell and BP oil distributor, which after some years became Shell. When Shell sold their business in Ireland to Topaz Energy, Donegal Oil Company became a Topaz branded distributor and that relationship continues to this very day.
The vision of Managing Director, Arthur McMahon has been the driving force behind increasing profile for the company, becoming increasingly more involved with the local communities throughout the county to the places that they deliver to their 30 staff members and ensuring that they continue to provide the excellent service for their valued customers, has been welcomed by the entire company.
Their Services and Supplies extend far beyond Home Heating Oil. They supply Commercial Fuel for trucks, buses, plants & machinery, Retail Fuel for service stations across Donegal, Agricultural Oil & Tractor Diesel, Marine Oil for the Marine Fuel market with a 24/7 service available from their depot in Killybegs, and Lubricant Oils for any type of machinery.
Arthur last year launched a FREE online quotation & ordering website and has embraced the digital media age. He is delighted that along with his staff are continuing to provide a first class, quick & easy service for their customers which is paramount in today’s busy world.
Last year saw also the formation of “Team Donegal Oil”, a division of Donegal Oil Company with members of the staff and sporting community being the driving force behind entries to many adventure sports & events both locally & nationally, in the hope that they would raise money for local charities like Donegal Autism Support Group. They have been successful in such a short time in raising nearly €10,000 for their charities and Arthur himself takes part in all of the event entered such as competing & finishing along with other “Team Donegal Oil” members “The Race around Ireland” last year and most recently the Mulroy Bay Adventure Race and WAAR to name but a few!
Donegal Oil Company would like to take this opportunity to thank all of their customers and staff over the past 62 years for their support and plans for future developments within the Company, to extend further services to their customers are planned in the near future.