Laid-back Clon joins global ‘go-slow’

KNOWN for its laid back ways, Clonakilty in west Cork has become the first town in Ireland to join a global go-slow movement that places quality of life above the hurly-burly of modern living.

Clonakilty joins 142 towns in 24 countries as a Cittaslow destination. Pronounced “Cheetah-slow”, literally “slow city”, it is an organisation founded in Italy in 1999 and inspired by the International Slow Food movement. Cittaslow towns respect the importance of their people, time, heritage, food and natural environment and encourage the production and use of fresh food in shops, restaurants and markets.

Fáilte Ireland director of destination development, Kevin Kidney, said: “The acceptance of Clonakilty into the Cittaslow movement is a wonderful endorsement of the town’s respect for its natural assets — the quality of life, its people and their traditions. As the first town in Ireland to be accepted into the movement, Clonakilty has the honour of putting Ireland on the map internationally as a destination which can offer visitors an experience of a slower way of life.