The last batch of one of Ireland’s most famous sweets have rolled off the production line bringing an end to almost 100 years of Co Donegal tradition.
Hundreds of thousands of Emerald chocolate toffees have been exported around the world in recent years.
The ‘emerald’ became one of Oatfields’ favourite since it was first made more than 50 years ago.
However owners of Oatfield Sweets, Zed Candy, decided to close the Letterkenny factory on May 27th next and will switch production to England.
Workers watched as the final rows of the famous sweets were covered in chocolate and packed for the last time.
The move will see 17 workers lose their jobs and will bring an end to one of Co Donegal’s most famous firms.
At the height of its production, Oatfields employed 85 workers and produced a range of popular sweets including Orange Chocolates and Irish Butter Toffee.
The company was first founded by Ira and Haddon McKinney in 1927 who first made sweets on an open coke fire in a shed before they moved to the site of the current factory in 1930.
Workers are currently negotiating their redundancy terms and are seeking three weeks pay for each year of service.
Local Senator Jimmy Harte, who has represented workers on several occasions, said he hopes management at Zed Candy will give workers the redundancy packages they deserve.
“The Oatfield’s workforce have always been a loyal and hard-working group of people.
“I spoke with management at Zed Candy and they have assured me that they will do all in their powers to accommodate the workers,” he said.
All pictures by kind permission of Clive Wasson Photography.
