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| Oileán Éadaigh West Mayo Brewery - taking it's place amongst the great beers of the world! |
This week we spoke to Caroline Price, of the Oileán Éadaigh West Mayo Brewery (one of the West's newest and tastiest craft brewers) to see what her 'take' on business in the West is...
What makes you get up in the morning?
At the moment a cuckoo and his/her mate have taken up residence outside our window and start singing very early. So literally that is what gets us up. In business terms each day is a new adventure. We are still in year one and since we have no last year's figures to go on we are constantly pleasantly surprised by the very positive reaction to our beers. We get emails and facebook correspondence and feedback from visitors as well as increasing sales in the pubs and hotels, the news is always uplifting. As the key to success is producing a range of quality natural beers we need to be busy daily to be prepared to respond to increasing demand.
What's your business philosophy?
We produce a natural quality product. We need to be responsive to customer demand and always trying to do even better.
What are your biggest challenges right now?
Our product is in great demand. We are in danger of reaching capacity on our current site very soon and having to turn down offers to supply further customers.
What makes your business unique?
Ours is a farm diversification business, producing a sustainable natural product, marrying tradition and innovation so that locals and visitors can have an experience of and a taste of the West.
How do you unwind?
We read and listen to music. Iain runs and I walk the country roads. I am also a gardener and enjoy growing and enjoying each season as it unfolds.
What's so great about the 'West of Ireland'
Having lived elsewhere, what the West of Ireland has is it's natural friendliness and helpfulness in people - a sense of belonging. It is also wild and beautiful - a place where it's easy to live very close to nature and be inspired by it.
What's your favourite place in the West (other than where you live)?
I love Downpatrick Head in North Mayo, and Connemara.
If you could ask for more investment in any one area for the West, what would it be?
The single biggest success in recent years in the west is the Greenway. Many more miles of off road cycling and walking to open up the region to visitors would allow the opportunity for visitors to enjoy the natural warmth and friendliness as well as the beauty of the countryside and for indigenous business to provide sustainable jobs into the future.
Are you optimistic for the West of Ireland?
Hugely. It is a great place to bring up a family.
If you could let the world know about only three other businesses in the West, what would they be?
We have incredible seafood in the West. So fish and other marine produce would be the area I would promote. I don't want to name one over the other but would mention also cheese making, and a number of excellent restaurants selling local produce.
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