One of the things that we remember fondly of our visit to the Connemara is the fantastic seafood that we enjoyed during our stay. Amongst the things that we enjoyed were the local oysters and a really memorable whole salmon that we cooked on an outside barbeque.

Whilst looking up some news items about Connemara, I discovered an entry that I thought offered a very good example of the ways in which this part of Ireland is really grabbing hold of new opportunities, and applying innovation to build new markets.

Connemara Seafoods Ltd is just such a case in point. This Irish-owned family business, which processes shellfish products into value added products such as frozen mussels in a variety of sauces, recently won the 2006 Export Award of the Irish Exporters Association in the Seafood Exporter category.

The company was formed in 1997 as a spin-off from the family’s fresh shellfish firm. Ann-Marie Mulloy Gautier, co-founder of the company recently commented:

“The mussel industry in Ireland was growing and our market research showed consumer preferences were changing.People don’t necessarily have time to cook so we decided to establish a company that would add value to the existing shellfish products.”

Connemara Seafoods turnover has increased more than twenty-fold since the company was founded and it is continuing to increase substantially.One aspect of the business that really sets this company apart from many others is its strong reliance upon research and development to expand existing market opportunities and develop new ones.

“A core strategic activity is continuous research and development to improve current products, production and processes, to develop new products and innovative, advanced technological methods for processing our products.

“Ideas are generated from our customers, our industry partners, our own team and from research.  The ideas are then input into the New Product Development (NPD) process where they are rigorously screened prior to selection for development approval.

“Following the approval process there is further screening and testing of the product internally initially and then in the market place through our customers before going through a final sign off subject to meeting strict criteria in regard to market potential and commerciality.

This emphasis on R&D is typical of many of the new industries developing in this region. You can find out more by visiting the company’s website.

Whilst you are visiting the Connemara region of Ireland, please make sure that you take the chance to enjoy some of the freshest, tastiest and purest seafood products in the world.

Submitted by John Kumm www.onlinetravelconsultant.com