Incidently, Urney Chocolates founder Harry Gallagher also had Quaker roots. His mother, Harriet Thomas, came from a County Cork Quaker family. Harry certainly empathized with the Quaker ideal of caring for workers and he devoted much of his time creating a pleasant and safe environment for his employees. The Urney factory became known locally as the factory in a garden- just as the Cadbury factory had many years before in Victorian England.
Due to adverse weather conditions the Sweet Memories, the Story of Urney Chocolates book launch will be postponed until further notice. Provided conditions do not deteriorate much further, I will be in Greenacres tomorrow, Saturday 4th to inform people of the change in schedule. I will also be available to sign books from 12pm til 3pm should anyone brave the elements and make it into Wexford town. A new launch date will be rescheduled shortly. Watch this space......In the meanwhile, keep warm....
Finally, the Wexford launch has arrived. Be sure to get to Greenacres gallery at midday on Saturday 4th December to catch the opening of the Greenacres Christmas show. Directly following the art opening, local author and historian Nicky Furlong will introduce the book, Sweet Memories. The Story of Urney Chocolates. Special guest Brendan Grace will be joining us, promising an afternoon of shared memories and good old-fashioned craic. Don't miss it!
This afternoon Tom Doorley was promoting his book "Eating for Ireland" on RTE's Four Live show. He chatted to Maura Derrane about favourite foods of our childhood and how they evoke a longing for a simpler but comforting time. His book celebrates this nostalgia and discusses how we used to eat throughout the years. Of course, Urney Chocolates got a mention. Tom and Maura waxed lyrical about the delectable Two and Two bar and the toothsomely chewy Bobby bar. At one point Maura furtively produced my book Sweet Memories- The Story of Urney Chocolates" from under the counter, taking care not to reveal its cover. She opened the book to point at a picture of a Two and Two Bar wrapper. As the camera lingered on the image they enthusiastically discussed the reincarnation of the well-loved bar. Unfortunately, there was no mention of the book title or its author and the implication was that this was a double page spread from Tom's book. Shame.....I feel a bit cheated..... See the programme for yourself here (scroll to 17.36mins for the Tom Doorley interview.) Link is only available til December 1st. Feel free to highlight this injustice by emailing emails@fourlive.ie......
L.C. Confectionery, owner of many Irish vintage confectionery brands, including Urney Chocolates, has introduced Hadji Bey Turkish Delight back to the market. Hadji Bey the company, was established in 1902 in Cork by Armenian national, Harutun Batmazian. Harutun's first career choice, like Urney Chocolates founder, Harry Gallagher, was law. While studying in Istanbul (then Constantinople) Harutun found time to help out in a confectionery business producing Turkish Delight. However, when the Turks began executing Armenian Christians he fled to south west Ireland. Despite having no English or financial backing Haruntun set up shop in MacCurtain Street, Cork and before long had converted the Irish to the exotic charms of Turkish Delight.
Today in County Kildare, Hadji Bey sweetmeats are still lovingly handmade to original recipes. Available in Original Rose and Rahat Lokoum (a mix of Rose, Orange and Lemon) flavours, the sweets are hand packed in beautifully designed sturdy, round boxes. The boxes retail at a very reasonable €8.95 from outlets nationwide, such as the English Market, Cork and The Chocolate Shop. They can also be found in exclusive London foodstore, Fortnum and Mason.
For anyone who missed the Sweet Memories, The Story of Urney Chocolates exhibition you can catch it in Clondalkin library where it will run until 23rd of November 2010. After that....who knows, maybe a venue near you........ If there are people out there that were unable to make it to the Dublin or Wexford show and are interested in seeing the exhibition, please drop me a line and I'll try my best to get it to a venue as close to you as possible.
Thanks to everyone who came along to the launch last Thursday evening. So many people turned out to support the project and to catch up with old friends and colleagues. There was such a warm and friendly atmosphere in Tallaght Library that night - an indication of the enviable camaraderie that existed in the Urney Chocolates factory before it closed its doors 40 years ago. Sile, Una and library staff did a terrific job organising the whole event, even providing a chocolate fountain with the refreshments. The exhibition runs until September 19th, during library opening hours so you still have a chance to view it.
I'm a graphic designer and illustrator with chocolate making in my ancestry. This blog helped me keep track of progress on the "Sweet Memories" project. Many people have kindly given me time, inspiration and personal anecdotes that have been instrumental in creating the project to date. Many thanks to you!
www.karennolandesign.ie
www.mizzwinkens.com
