Cork County Council: Tourism & Enterprise visit Mitchelstown hospitality businesses

A group from Cork County Council visited Mitchelstown on Wednesday last week, led by Sharon Corcoran (Director of Economic Development and Tourism), Joan Kelleher (Local Enterprise Office North & West) and Rose Carroll (Cork County Tourism).

The goal of the trip was to visit two businesses that have recently been in receipt of LEO supports: Praline Pastry & Chocolate Café, owned by Norma Kelly, which opened in late 2023 expanding Norma’s existing business and Barnahown B&B, owned by Ciara O’Brien and due to open to visitors in July this year.

Ciara provided the visitors with a tour of Barnahown, showcasing the restoration work completed by many local tradespeople and sharing an introduction to her ‘ Taste The Galtees’ concept. Norma led the group through a tasting experience including her latest Eight Degrees stout chocolate and the popular Galtee Honey milk chocolate.

Ms. Corcoran noted the ‘double benefit’ of investment in hospitality businesses; not only does it support the commercial development of the business itself but it also enhances the surrounding local economy by attracting new visitors to the area to enjoy a range of hospitality offerings and experiences.

Joining the team from Cork County Council were a number of stakeholders from the tourism sector including Failte Ireland – Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands (Fiona Dunne and Marie Healy), Pure Cork (Seamus Heaney), Munster Vales (Triona O’Mahony) and Ballyhoura Development (Amanda Slattery).

The group moved to St. George’s Arts & Heritage Centre where they were met by Bill Power, who introduced first time visitors to the extensive restoration journey St. George’s has undergone, with significant support from Cork County Council. The group reviewed the Mitchelstown Visitor Welcome Plan including a focus on heritage, arts and culture; outdoors and wellness; and award-winning producers alongside a focus on sustainable hospitality from Mikey Shinnick of the Town Coffee Company.

Ms. Dunne noted the benefit that the Destination and Experience Development Plan ( DEDP) will bring to Mitchelstown and Ballyhoura when consultation commences this year, creating a single point of reference for strategic development with relevant agencies.

Speaking after the event, Norma Kelly shared that she was proud to have welcomed such a diverse group of stakeholders to showcase the breadth and depth of producers in the Mitchelstown area. Ciara O’Brien was grateful to receive a lot of positive encouragement and feedback and an assurance of the need for the addition of quality B&B accommodation in the region.

The visitors were welcomed by Mayor Cork County Cllr, Frank O’Flynn, along with local councillors, Kay Dawson and Deirdre O’Brien.

Marian Roche) (Pic: At last week’s meeting were, back l-r: Marie Healy, Fáilte Ireland; Sharon Corcoran, Cork County Council and Seamus Heaney, Pure Cork; Front l-r: Cllr Deirdre O’Brien; Amanda Slattery, Ballyhoura Development CLG; Triona O’Mahony, Munster Vales; Cllr Kay Dawson and Cllr Frank O’Flynn, Mayor of County Cork.

(Pic: Marian Roche) In Mitchelstown last week were, l-r: Fiona Dunne, Fáilte Ireland; Rose Carroll, Cork County Council and Joan Kelleher; Norma Kelly, Praline; Cllr Frank O’Flynn, Mayor of County Cork; Ciara O’Brien and Liz Downes, both Mitchelstown Community Council.