BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW 2007

BBC Good Food Show November 2007 at the NEC Birmingham. Fuchsia Brands was represented by Failte Ireland.

INTERNATIONAL BREAD FESTIVAL 2007, SAVIGLIANO, ITALY

The International Bread Festival 2007 was held in Savigliano Italy from 27th -30th of September, this is an international event devoted Regional Produce and to the Culture of bread, as a quality products, economic resources, symbols of tradition and sharing between people and promotes an intercultural dialogue which, through the baking tradition spreads across Europe and the Mediterranean. The International Bread Festival of Savigliano is based on a project started in 2005 by 8 European nations and various Italian regions.

This years delegations invited to attend the event were from the following countries;

Oriental Europe; Hungary – Slovak Republic – Romania – Belorussia – Poland.

Mediterranean Europe; Italy – Spain – Cote d’ Azur (France)

The Mediterranean; Israel and Palestine

Western Europe; Alsace – Burgundy (France) – Ireland.

The West Cork Regional Branding Initiative / Fuchsia Brands were requested to represent Ireland and showcase the products from the Region that are accredited to the Fuchsia Brand, The three day event proved to be a huge success for the Fuchsia Brand products, with the Italian people pleasantly surprised by the range of products, and were given precious hints to recognise and appreciate the quality of the products from the West Cork Region.

The following products represented the Fuchsia Brand; Durrus Cheese, Milleens Cheese, Gubbeen Cheese, Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese, West Cork Natural Cheese Company, Staunton’s Puddingds, Unionhall Smoked Salmon, Gubbeen Smokehouse, Follain Teo, Beara Preserves, McBride & Flynn chutneys & preserves.

As part of the Taste of West Cork Festival in Skibbereen, West Cork LEADER Co-Op was delighted to host a seminar exploring the ideas and experiences behind Irish food culture. The seminar sought to assess the economic, social and environmental synergies that are fundamental to vibrant functioning local economies. The inaugural event assembles a panel of distinguished international and national commentators, each of whom will offer informed perspectives and opinion that will seek to define and discuss Ireland's food culture. The seminar series has as a core objective an analysis of the characteristics, dynamics, opportunities and challenges that influence how food is produced and consumed in Ireland. Interactive panel discussions will allow delegates the opportunity to explore our food heritage, its origins, evolution and protection as well as considering the changing socio-cultural notions of consumption and sustenance. Click here for more...

Advertisement in Ireland at Your Leisure Spring Summer 2007

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A WEST CORK WELCOME FOR THE TOUR OF IRELAND

A new 5 day Tour of Ireland professional cycle stage race took place from 22nd to 26th August, starting in Kilkenny and finishing in Dublin, sponsored by Failte Ireland. The tour was contested by many of the top teams in the world and televised live each day. The race comprised of 112 riders.

The second stage started in Clonakilty and much effort was put in to creating a welcoming atmosphere for the cyclists and their entourage. The Chamber of Tourism organised live music in Emmet Square and Fuchsia Brands provided a buffet breakfast of Fuchsia Branded food produce which was well put together by Andreas Hobauld, The Baking Emporium, Dunmanway. There was very positive feedback both from those attending the event and by the organisers. The Clonakilty Stage was shown on RTE, both live and in the highlights that evening and was a great opportunity for showcasing West Cork and the Fuchsia Brand.

FUCHSIA TOURISM INFORMATION AT CORK AIRPORT

Failte Ireland now has an information desk in the Arrivals Hall in Cork Airport. We have secured some space for promotional material on West Cork and the Fuchsia Brand. There is particular interest in general information on West Cork, the islands and for details on activity holidays such as walking, watersports, etc. The feedback has been excellent with many requests for more deliveries of brochures.

Advertisement in DISCOVER IRELAND Autumn Winter 2007

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FUCHSIA BRAND MEMBERS GENERATE €106M IN WEST CORK REGION

What is the real economic importance fo the Fuchsia Brand to West Cork in terms of the overall contribution, value added and retaining money in the local economy? This was the question posed by West Cork LEADER Co-Op to a group of researchers at UCC and UCD. The results of their study show that in 2005 the total direct value of output related to the Fuchsia Brand amounted to €106.97 million. Total direct eomployment is 908 full time equivalent jobs. For more download the latest edition of Fuchsia News.

EVALUATION OF THE LEADER + PROGRAMME

West Cork LEADER Co-Op has published a comprehensive review of the LEADER + programme 2001-2006. The Fuchsia regional branding intitiative was a central component of the implementation of the programme and delivered considerable benefits to the region's food, tourism and craft sectors. The full document is available on www.westcorkleader.ie Below you can download 2 montages which give a visual impression of the activities underaken in the last 5 years.

TOURISM TRAINING PROGRAMME

The West Cork LEADER Co-Op. in conjunction with Failte Ireland are pleased to announce its forthcoming Tourism Training Programme scheduled to commence in May. The programme of courses are designed to meet the needs of tourism product providers in the West Cork, Owenabue and Lee Valley regions and are a requirement of becoming a member of the West Cork Regional Branding initiative, Fuchsia Brands. The venue will depend on demand. The details are as follows:-

The courses will be provided in a flexible manner in response to local demand.

For further information and course outline, please contact:-
Jean O'Sullivan,
Tourism Development Officer,
West Cork LEADER Co-Op.,
West Cork Technology Park,
Clonakilty, West Cork.
Tel. (023) 34035 Fax. (023) 34066
jean@westcorkleader.ie

FUCHSIA PROMOTED IN EDINBURGH

Fuchsia Brands participated in a joint promotional event on April 18th & 19th, 2007 in Edinburgh with two other LEADER partners in Scotland and Italy. The event is similar to Holiday World in Dublin, but focused mainly on Scottish Holidays.

Lisa Cashman and Jean O'Sullivan of West Cork LEADER Co-Op with Sabina Bordiga and colleague from GAL Garda Valsabbia and Kathleen Dun, North Ayreshire Council

MEITHEAL 2007 IN THE RDS DUBLIN

Fuchsia Brands pariticipated in the Fáilte Ireland Southwest Region exhibition stand at Meitheal 2007 in the RDS Dublin on 2nd & 3rd May. Approximately 300 overseas tour operators from almost 30 different markets attended. The exhibition stands gave partners the opportunity to meet both overseas and Irish attendees during the open sessions that occured throughout the workshop.

Jean O'Sullivan and Jerry O’Grady, Killarney Chamber of Tourism & Commerce		Photograph showing the set-up of the workshops with 1-1 meetings

THE PRICE OF FISH

After years of declining fish stocks, the Irish Government has finally brought in a fishing ban to try to help the rivers to restock. Anthony Creswell at Ummera Smoked Products recently spoke with Rose Prince at the Sunday Telegraph about the future of Irish smoked salmon. Read the story at the Sunday Telegraph here.

LONDON, ST. PATRICK'S FESTIVAL

In conjunction with Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland Great Britain, the opportunity arose for Fuchsia Brands to participate in a stand at the London St. Patrick’s Day Consumer Show on Sunday, 18th March. With three venues for the event (Trafalgar Square (tourism), Covent Garden (food) and Leicester Square (craft/kids entertainment), it was well publicised through the Lord Mayors office and huge numbers, particularly the Irish community, joined in the festive atmosphere. Trafalgar square where the tourism booths were located was awash with green. As this was where the main stage was where music was provided by Paul Brady, Jack L, Sharon Shannon, etc., there was a constant flow of people and lots of West Cork information was picked up. There was great interest in our “From West Cork to You” gift bags and lots of ex West Cork people now living in London came along to the stand to say hello. Along with the West Cork Fuchsia Brand, other stands included Aer Arann, Dublin Tourism, Fabulous Food Trails, Hotel Westport, Ireland South, Ireland West, Ireland’s Blue Book, Ireland’s Shannon Region, Irish Hotels Federation, World Fleadh and Ireland East. The colourful St. Patrick’s Day Parade which passed through Trafalgar Square in the afternoon was a big hit with the large crowd. The event, established in 2002, has grown in strength and was a useful tool in promoting the brand and West Cork.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, Minister John O'Donoghue and Deirdre O'Donovan, Tourism Ireland with Jean O'Sullivan and Kevin Santry.

FUCHSIA CRAFT ACCLAIMED AT SHOWCASE

Fuchsia craft members at Showcase 2007 receiveing the Best Group Stand Award from Les Reed, CEO and Gerry Wycherly, Chariman of Crafts Council of Ireland

Showcase at the RDS Dublin is Ireland's annual celebration of craft and design, attracting visitors from over 30 countries to source the very best and newest crafts, gifts and jewellery. In January 2007 for the first time in a number of years the event njoyed a strong collective presence from a region noted for its craft - West Cork, with stands from both West Cork LEADER Co-Op and the West Cork Enterprise Board presenting a total of 13 makers. The West Cork Regional Brand, represented by the Fuchsia logo, has work from 7 of its finest makers, all but one of whom are exhibiting at the RDS for the first time. This strength and depth of talent that continues to emerge from West Cork can be seen in the recognition they have received at the show. In their Showcase debut the Fuchsia makers have scooped 5 awards in the prestigious Index 50 competition for new products and picked up the Best Group Stand award to boot. Kieran Higgins, a woodturner from Skibbereen, received a special recommendation in the Index 50 awards for his bold and original pieces in bog oak and other native hardwoods. The other West Cork winners were Kinsale Pottery, Delisa Jewellery, Stable Door Pottery and Hilary Nunan.
Presenting the group stand award Gerry Wycherly, chairman of the Crafts Council of Ireland said "the warmth of the invitation to buyers on this stand is mirrored by the welcome you will receive in the location they are promoting". Ivan McCutcheon of West Cork LEADER Co-Op, speaks of a group with a mission: "We want craft to be a fundamental part of living in or visiting West Cork. Shopping here can be a real pleasure for the leisurely tourist or for residents an opportunity to show pride of place in choosing a gift."

LAUNCH OF SEVEN HEADS WALKS GUIDE

West Cork LEADER Co-Op sponsored the publication of a guide of the Seven Heads Walks. John Young's in Courtmacsherry was the location for it's official launch in February 2007. During the ceremony the Chairman of the Seven Heads Walking Committee, John O Brien took the opportunity to thank West Cork LEADER Co-Op for the support it offered the Committee and the sponsorship it provided for the Guide, the Chairman also took time to acknowledge the many contributors of the text. As the walks have an abundance of flora and fauna the Guide was fittingly launched by Mike Brown, the wildlife photographer. The Seven Heads Walks have become extremely popular with locals and visitors alike and there are walks on offer of varying degrees of difficulty so that there is something to suit everyone's needs and abilities. During its support of this project West Cork LEADER Co-Op was impressed particularly with the high level of co-operation between the local community groups of Timoleague and Courtmacsherry which in the end served the interest of the walks fiercely well.

WEST CORK AT THE BBC GOOD FOOD SHOW

Fuchsia Brands and Kinsale Good Food Circle joined celebrity chefs Gordon Ramsay and Jamie Oliver at the annual food extravaganza that is the BBC Good Food Show. From November 22-26, at the NEC in Birmingham, the event drew in excess of 130,000 food lovers. Presenting a Taste of West Cork were Food Development Officer Mr. Kevin Santry and four Fuchsia accredited hotels (Actons Hotel, the Trident Hotel, the Blue Haven Hotel and the new Carlton Hotel), whose chefs used West Cork Fuchsia branded food products to highlight the various local quality products available in Kinsale 'the gourmet capital of the world'. The fuchsia products available during the course of the gourmet week ranged from Carrigaline Farmhouse Cheese, Durrus Cheese, East of Boston Chocolate Sauces, Follain Teo, Gallan Farmhouse Foods, Gubbeen Farmhouse Foods, Gubbeen Smokehouse, Ummera Smoked Products, Stauntons Puddings, Irish Yogurts, Susan Robins Fehily's homemade Brown Breads and Lager from Kinsale Brewing Company to wash it all down.

For a full list of events check out www.skibbereen.ie

WEST CORK BROCHURE WINS AT HSMAI AWARDS

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International celebrated 10 years rewarding excellence in the Irish tourism and hospitality industry with their annual awards on October 17, 2006 at Jury's Hotel in Ballsbridge in Dublin. As always the large industry attendance was buzzing with excitement and anticipation as to whose hard work had paid off and who would go home with an awards.

For a second year in a row, Fuchsia Brands were up for nomination and this time it did not go home empty handed. Early in the course of the ceremony, Minister for Tourism John O Donoghue warmly welcomed Jean O Sullivan (Tourism Development Officer) and Ian Dempsey (CEO) up on stage to present them with a beautiful glass trophy for placing first in the Best Tourism category. Host for the evening Caroline Morahan from the RTE show Off the Rails pointed out to the crowd that in making their final decision, the judges had remarked of the West Cork Brochure "that it had wonderfully achieved the sated objective of taking the reader on a voyage of discovery to a unique region". In compiling the Brochure both Ian Dempsey and Jean O Sullivan had adopted an approach which was a strongly visual one, emphasizing stunning landscape, colourful villages and the personalities behind the acclaimed products of the region.

Since coming from print, the Brochure has played a pivotal role in West Cork's marketing and communications strategy and to that end the Brochure has been used extensively at trade shows and consumer promotional events locally, nationally and even overseas During the preparation stage of the Brochure Ian Dempsey was very mindful that the images and themes chosen should reflect the defined values of the Fuchsia brand and enhancing the basic tourism product with other factors such as the environment, the landscape, the people, the history, the tradition and the culture of the region.