Donegal County Museum welcomed a very special guest to their two tasty exhibitions this week on the Oatfield sweet factory in Letterkenny and Jacobs Biscuits.
The team were delighted to have Mr Desmond Doherty, former General Manager of Oatfield, visit the ‘Oatfield –A Short But Sweet History and the ‘Jacob’s Biscuits – ‘An Assorted History’’ exhibitions.
Mr Doherty got a chance to see his work and quotes which are featured in the curated selection of Donegal County Museum’s exhibition on the iconic Oatfield factory.
‘Oatfield – A Short But Sweet History’ explores the world of Letterkenny’s Iconic Oatfield confectionary factory through personal memories, photographs and artefacts. Oatfield Confectionery had seen many changes from its foundation in the 1920’s to 2010 when manufacture of the iconic sweets moved abroad.
Oatfield sweets, manufactured in Letterkenny, were exported world-wide to over 80 countries such as the U.S.A., Canada, Iceland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Nigeria, Kuwait, Bahrain, Cyprus, Greece, Sweden, France, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Norway and Tahiti.
‘Jacob’s Biscuit Factory & Dublin: An Assorted History: Donegal County Museum is delighted to be the first venue to host this Jacob’s travelling exhibition that draws on Dublin City Library and Archives vast Jacob Biscuit Factory Archive. This travelling exhibition explores all aspects of the factory’s 20th Century history.
Colourful panels demonstrate the history of the factory, the workers, the products it produced and its role in Irish life. Find out the fascinating history of the Jacobs cream-cracker, who was the marketing genius to develop the concept of Jim Figgerty and the impact of major national and international events from World Wars to the 1916 Rising on the business, customers, and staff. This exhibition and was funded through the Dublin City Council Decade of Commemorations.
“Many memories are associated with both Jacob’s and Oatfield, whether through family members working there or simply a life-time of enjoying their wonderful selection of familiar products. We encourage everyone to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane & visit these tasty exhibitions.”
Visitors to the exhibitions and members of the public are encouraged to contact Dublin City Library and Archives (DCLA) @dclareadingroom and Donegal County Museum @Donegalcomuseum using #jacobsassorted & #oatfieldsweets to share their favourite labels or memories of Jacob’s and Oatfield. Or show us how far in the world have they ended up!
We would also like to hear your stories and memories of the after-life of Jacob’s and Oatfield tins and boxes. What did you keep in the tin or box, once all the contents were eaten? For example that spare parts for the first Aer Lingus plane Iolar were carried in a Jacob’s tin!
The exhibitions are on display to until the end of June. Admission free and all are welcome.
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 10.00am to 4.30pm, Saturday 1.00- 4.30pm.
For further information contact the Museum
T 074 9124613
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