What a year 2017 was for Clonakilty Food Co, makers of Ireland’s favourite Blackpudding. The opening of a new custom-built production facility in Clonakilty, Co. Cork on October 2 was followed by the company receiving prestigious Agribusiness and Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards.
The dream became a reality for everyone associated with Clonakilty Food Co when it returned to its West Cork home after an 18-year lapse. Thousands of people turned out for the official opening of the multi-million euro factory and joined with management and staff in celebrating the homecoming. Bord Bia Chief Executive Officer and Clonakilty native Tara McCarthy officiated at the ribbon cutting and flag-raising ceremony with Clonakilty Food Co Managing Director Colette Twomey and Clonakilty Mayor John Loughnan.
The new production facility, which took more than a year to complete, also houses administration offices, new product development facilities and distribution. It will also host a new visitor centre which is due to open in time for this year’s peak holiday season. The vision for the centre is to immerse visitors in the history and tradition of Clonakilty Blackpudding, to offer them an opportunity to see how it’s made, and to highlight the company’s pride in the town it originates from.
“It’s great to be home,” Colette Twomey enthuses.
“We are really proud of our new home in Clonakilty that will facilitate our company’s vision for growth. We have ambitious plans to scale-up internationally and this new plant enables us to do so, so it’s a very exciting time for the company. Our new visitor centre will also be a new direction for Clonakilty Food Co and we are looking forward to becoming part of the town’s bustling tourism industry. It will offer tourists and local alike the chance to come visit the home of their favourite brand.
“We could not have made our dream a reality without the fantastic support of so many local people – builders, designers, trades people and the local community. Clonakilty is a fantastic place to live and do business in. Blackpudding was always the signature of Clonakilty and it’s only right and fitting that it’s produced there.”
Clonakilty Food Co also used the occasion to announce the launch of its latest product, black pudding sausages. Other new products will be launched in the coming months. The state-of-the-art facility has brought 50 new jobs to the area, while it operates on a dual licence with the nearby Little Island factory, owned and in operation by the company. January 2018 will see the company completely switch operations from Little Island over to the new factory in its home of Clonakilty.
Bord Bia’s Tara McCarthy praised the company and noted how her children are big fans of the Clonakilty pudding. She noted how the world-famous brand makes up over one-third of the Irish black and white pudding markets.
There was further cause for celebration over the following weeks when Clonakilty Food Co scooped two major food awards. The company received a Gold at the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards for its Clonakilty Blackpudding 280g chubb and the Agribusiness of the Year – Pig & Pigmeats Award.
Now in its 10th year, the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Awards are internationally recognised food awards that celebrate and reward the very best tasting Irish food and drink products, and the passionate, driven producers who make it.
“We were absolutely thrilled to win with so many amazing and deserving Irish food and drink producers in the running,” Colette said of the Blas na hÉireann Irish Food Award.
First made in the 1880s with a secret recipe that remains the same to this day, Clonakilty Blackpudding is available in a loose natural ring, a printed ring, a mini chubb, catering sticks and chubbs and of course, in the award-winning 280g black pudding chubb.
Using wholesome ingredients supplied by Irish farmers, Clonakilty Blackpudding is made using traditional methods combining beef, oatmeal, onions, beef blood and a secret blend of spices which is only known to Colette.
It is this special blend of ingredients that gives Clonakilty Blackpudding its unique taste, crumbly texture and distinctive flavour and while traditionally served as part of a breakfast, it is becoming an increasingly popular ingredient for starters, main courses and salads. It’s Clonakilty Food Co’s passion for good quality food and for its customers that has brought it to where it is today, and Colette says the company is very appreciative of the support it continues to receive from customers all over the world.
The Agribusiness of the Year – Pig & Pigmeats Award completed a brilliant double for Clonakilty Food Co. The Agribusiness Awards recognise and celebrate innovative companies, creative thinking and the passionate individuals who contribute to driving growth in Ireland’s food sector.
“We were extremely proud and grateful to receive this award as it represents a true mark of Irish farmers quality produce we use and our passion for quality, taste and tradition,” the affable Managing Director adds.
Clonakilty Food Co has a rich and proud history spanning nearly 140 years. It was taken over by the Twomey family in the 1970s and since then they have expanded their range from black pudding to include white pudding, sausages, rashers and bacon. They now not only have success in Ireland and the UK, but more recently in the US and UAE.
Clonakilty Food Co
16 Pearse Street,
Clonakilty,
Co. Cork.
Telephone: +353 (0)23 88 34835
Fax: +353 (0)23 88 33664
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.clonakiltyblackpudding.ie
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 6 No 1, February 2018
