Don’t wipe out 20 years of local development experience

Fuchsia is Ireland’s only regional food brand, with a logo recognised by 75% of West Cork shoppers, economic impact estimated at well over €100m, and hundreds of full and part-time jobs created in food and tourism.

Tourism managers from throughout Europe, Australia and the US have sought advice and guidance from its brand management, hoping to replicate Fuchsia’s success in their own destinations. It is managed by local development company, the West Cork Development Partnership.

In the north west of the county, their IRD Duhallow counterpart has similarly supported and funded local enterprises, which created over 1,200 jobs and sustained 1,500 existing jobs, since 1989. They trained 6,000 people, created 650 childcare places, and supported 130 community and voluntary groups to deliver over 850 projects to improve the quality of life in the Duhallow region, and placed over 800 people in local jobs. In the past year, their rural transport service carried over 58,000 passengers, delivered over 23,000 meals to the elderly, insulated over 400 homes and 13 community centres, carried out 844 care and repair jobs, made over 7,000 phone calls to those living alone, placed 120 unemployed in community work through Tús, and ran the Rural Social Scheme for 58 small farmers.