|
Clonakilty, West Cork, has become the first town on the island of Ireland to achieve the prestigious global accolade as a Cittaslow destination. Clonakilty now joins 142 towns in 24 countries worldwide whose goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Cittaslow (pronounced ‘Cheetah-Slow), literally ‘slow city’, is an organisation founded in Italy in 1999, inspired by the International Slow Food movement. Cittaslow aims to improve the quality of life in towns by embracing and nurturing traditional values. Cittaslow communities respect the importance of their people, time, heritage, food and natural environment and they especially encourage the production and use of quality fresh food in shops, restaurants and markets.
 |
Pictured at the announcement (L –R) Roy Maguire, Cittaslow project manager and Director, Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce; Councillor John Loughnan, Mayor of Clonakilty; Irish Italian model Lynn Kelly.
|
Councillor John Loughnan, Mayor of Clonakilty commented: “Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce and Clonakilty Town Council work hard at maintaining the unique charm of this West Cork town. This honour is another first for Clonakilty, following on the heels of being awarded Ireland’s first Fair Trade town in 2003 and Ireland’s first European Destination of Excellence in 2007. Achieving Cittaslow status is further international recognition of the community’s commitment to Clonakilty and plots the roadmap for our development and renewal in a sustainable way.”
Kevin Kidney, Director of Destination Development, Fáilte Ireland said: “The acceptance of Clonakilty into the Cittaslow movement is a wonderful endorsement of the town’s respect for its natural assets – the quality of life, its people and their traditions. As the first town in Ireland to be accepted into the movement, Clonakilty has the honour of putting Ireland on the map internationally as a destination which can offer visitors an experience of a slower way of life. It integrates the principles of the Slow Food movement with all the best that the area has to offer in terms of crafts, traditions, entertainment and nature. It provides an excellent opportunity for Clonakilty to offer an experience of what is best about tourism in Ireland – marrying respect for local communities and the environment with providing opportunities for tourists to be part of, and to contribute to, those communities during their visit.”
 |
Pictured at the announcement Irish Italian model Lynn Kelly
|
Roy Maguire, Cittaslow project manager and Director, Clonakilty Chamber of Commerce also said: “Cittaslow towns take the time to identify what is important and special about that town and its surrounding area and puts in place strategies to preserve their unique qualities, making life better for everyone.” He paid tribute to Clonakilty Town Council and Sustainable Clonakilty for their support in bringing the project to fruition. He said “We live in a wonderful part of the world”, adding “If it’s a great place to live, it has to be great place to visit.”
Clonakilty will be formally presented with their international Cittaslow status at a global gathering of Cittaslow towns in Waldkirch, Germany on the 3rd December 2011.
Clonakilty now proudly joins Cittaslow towns in the UK, Denmark, Australia, Austria, China, Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, The US, Canada, New Zealand, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Norway, South Africa, South Korea and Sweden.
Ireland, Monday November 21st 2011
|
