Chamber CEO Michael Garland believes the site of the former Glanbia factory in Kilmeaden (with the factory itself included on inset) has tremendous food tourism potential.

Chamber CEO Michael Garland believes the site of the former Glanbia factory in Kilmeaden (with the factory itself included on inset) has tremendous food tourism potential.


The history of Kilmeaden Cheese can play a pivotal role in developing a sustainable food tourism industry for Waterford city and county, according to Waterford Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber Chief Executive Michael Garland believes that the world famous brand, the production of which was relocated to Ballyragget in 2005, is crucial to marketing the history of Waterford food.
Mr Garland was commenting in relation to the potential development of the Kilmeaden site where the cheese was incepted and produced until Glanbia ‘decentralised’ it to its Kilkenny HQ.
The 64-acre site’s future is being examined and speculated upon by the Kilmeaden Fields Task Force, a group which, alongside Mr Garland, recently met with Enterprise Minister Batt O’Keeffe.
“It’s important to play on the history that’s on our doorstep,” said Mr Garland.
“We have a great food tourism story here in Waterford. We have world renowned food such as Kilmeaden Cheese, Jacob’s Cream Crackers, and the Blaa. We need to put out all those messages.”
Michael Garland believes that further development of the Waterford Harvest Festival, which recently ran for 10 days in the city, is an essential part of this future marketing strategy.
In its meeting with the Minister, the Task Force highlighted the potential for development at the site which has been zoned for industrial, commercial office or mixed use development.
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