Clonakilty's Fairtrade Birthday

On Wednesday 22 September, Clonakilty celebrated its first birthday as Ireland's inaugural Fairtrade Town. Seen at the celebrations at O'Donovan's Hotel were Fairtrade committee members Councillor Cionnaith Ó Súilleabháin, Jennifer Sleeman and Reverend Ian Jonas, with the Town Mayor Councillor Phil O'Regan, who congratulated the committee and the people of Clonakilty for their support of Fairtrade produce. The birthday cake was kindly donated by White's Bakery, Clonakilty.

A DVD, highlighting peace and justice issues around the globe, which is being used in every National School in the country, features an eight-minute section on Clonakilty Fairtrade. In it, local schoolchildren talk of the importance of FT in creating a more just society in poorer countries. Part of the Clonakilty section also has Guatemalan coffee grower Felipe Castro speaking with Clonakilty children on the positive affects that FT has on his family and community.