By Paddy Walsh
Reared in Letterkenny, ‘bread’ in Rathmullan – Ronnie Blake knows which side his is buttered! And his stand at the Food Coast Donegal Showcase event displays what’s on offer.
Located on the Pier Road, the business he runs with his wife, Caroline, continues to be hugely successful.
“We originally opened a takeaway 20 years ago and it went from being a takeaway when we opened a café in 2007. It was very successful and we got busier and busier,” he said.
It was through sheer boredom during the Covid outbreak that Ronnie, who was raised in McClure’s Terrace in Letterkenny, started making Sourdough. “It turned out to be a very successful move and business grew out of that. So we now have a very successful business in a very small village.”
Belle’s Kitchen employs a staff of around 28, most of them from the area and some from Letterkenny.
“We were famous for fish and chips and we had customers from Letterkenny and from Buncrana whenever the ferry was on. And, of course, locals in Rathmullan.”
As far as the bakery is concerned, Ronnie maintains: ‘We live off Letterkenny people. It’s amazing how the people who know you will come to you and if it’s not good, they’ll soon tell you!.”
Belle’s Kitchen also offers deliveries to Letterkenny to outlets such as The Counter and the farm shop located close to Alcorns. A tasty operation as a sample of the various Sourdough products and the mixture of other bakery foods such as croissants and pain au chocolat will tell those taste buds.
And while his own business is thriving, Ronnie doesn’t forget the less fortunate enterprises such as An Bonnan Bui which has been forced to close its doors in Rathmullan. “It will be really badly missed. It was located about twenty yards away from us and it was so sad to see it closing.”
Meanwhile, a thirst for something to do during the Covid lockdown prompted the establishment of Errigal Brewing.
Based in the hotel in Annagry, the company was always on the look-out for opportunities. “The thing we had most of all was time and plenty of it to spend on our project. And we realised the hotel bar was making the least amount of money out of its draught beer,” explains James McDevitt.
“We played with the idea of trying to make our own beer and that’s what we started doing.”
Consequently the company made beer for the Caisleain Oir hotel and then Valu Centre permitted them to distribute the product – draught, bottles and cans – around the county. “And it’s grown from there and we’re trying to get the brand out there.
The Errigal Brewing stand at the Food Coast Donegal event
“I used to do the hash tags in the hotel and one of the hash tags was “the craic is in the hills’. So when we built the brewery you’d be saying where’s the hills and sure the main hill was Errigal and that’s where the name came from.”
The company currently employs five but has plans on continuing its development. “We’re on a bit of a growth strategy at the moment so we will be hoping to increase our employment.”
‘Ta an craic sna conic – the craic is in the hills’ and Errigal Brewing has undoubtedly found a niche in the market.
It’s not quite a rocky road to Newtowncunningham but when you get there and specifically to the locally based Mallow Mia, you can be guaranteed rocky roads of all flavours and descriptions.
Linda McClean, proprietor of Mallow Mia, at the Food Coast event. Photos: Joe Dunne
Linda McClean has been involved in making marshmallows for close to a decade. “We started out as a part-time business and it got very busy and we decided to develop it further.”
To such an extent that Mallow Mia not alone makes the product but also operates a workshop allowing those interested to add their own flavours to the recipe.
“The workshops have really taken off with people coming along to learn how to make marshmallows.”
Patrons can book a private session if they so want and courses are available for family groups, hen parties, children’s’ parties and for corporate team building exercises.
”There are so many flavours involved – Irish Coffee, chocolate, raspberry and more besides with gluten free options also available,” says Linda.
Mallow Mia operates in both a retail and wholesale format – truly a mouth watering success story on a plate.
Meanwhile, among the interested patrons in attendance at the Local Enterprise Showcase event was Carol Meenan, proprietor of the Yellow Pepper restaurant in Letterkenny.
“I’m really enjoying it – it’s a great opportunity to see where the food industry is going in the future. I love to see all the new producers on board.
“We’re so lucky in this county to have these great products, great scenery, and great enthusiastic people who are happy to bring their products to market and we are happy to be working with them.”
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