Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Pearse Doherty sends best wishes to An Curragh

Published: 16 June, 2006

Sinn Féin Cllr Pearse Doherty has welcomed the creation of 19 full time


jobs in the An Curragh Co-op which is located in Falcarragh and wished


them every success in advance of their official launch this evening.





Cllr Doherty said:





"Tonight An Curragh (The Irish Traditional Industry and Heritage Co-Op)


which is a combination of 60 small businesses, will officialy launch a


Curragh on Dunlewley Lake as a symbolic interpretation of the


enterprise. This opening shows the potential for a more integrated, imaginative


and innovative policy that could open up markets which generate


indigenous business and craft sectors and also serve as a dynamic to


reinvigorate enterprise in general.





"Over the next few months the Co-Op, which is comprised of a Call


Centre, Fulfillment Centre and Administration Staff will actively promote


and support the growth of indigenous producers of traditional crafts and


industry throughout the North West and Ireland as a whole and I commend


the work they do to create and expand consistent access to


international markets.





"Earlier this year I travelled to the US and met with Art McCabe who is


the Director of the C0-OP's US subsidiary. I also accompanied


Congressman Marty Meehan and Art McCabe on a tour that included the South Cabnal


International Business Centre where the Donegal Co-op and a Belfast


company are both based.





"During this visit I stressed the great need for job creation in


Donegal and pointed out that we currently have an 18% unemployment rate that


is over 4 times the national average. We need to support indigenous


industries, and businesses with ties to the community, as this will ensure


longer local viability. Jim Gaffney who first envisaged such a business


a number of years ago is a prime example of the type of


entrepreneurship, dedication and determination that is required here in Donegal if we


as a county are to reach our full potential. I would like to take this


opportunity to wish him and all of those involved in "An Curragh" every


success with their new enterprise."