It would seem that Leona and Richard Kane have the Midas touch. What was once a milking parlour on their farm at the foot of Binevenagh was launched on Tuesday 5 February as the second ÉCONOMUSÉE in the UK.

The Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT) approached Broighter Gold in January 2012 and were immediately convinced that this rural family business ticked all the right boxes to be considered as the next ÉCONOMUSÉE in the region.

CCGHT Project Officer, Tiérna McAlister commented: ‘An ÉCONOMUSÉE is a working museum that sees the combination of sustainability, culture, craft and tourism and in turn offers an economic platform for local craft artisans such as Broighter Gold.   The interpretation inside the workshop will enhance the overall visitor experience and enable visitors to follow every step of the process of turning rapeseed into liquid gold. We are delighted to lead on such an innovative and creative tourism initiative and hope to encourage and promote more sustainable tourism experiences in the Causeway Coast and Glens area’.

Magne Haugseng, Project Manager, ÉCONOMUSÉE Northern Europe commented: ÉCONOMUSÉE is a concept developed in Québec, Canada.  The mission of the ÉCONOMUSÉE network is to promote and keep alive traditional crafts and knowledge, whilst ensuring economic growth within rural communities.  The project consists of partners in eight countries; Quebec, Greenland. Iceland, Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden, Republic of Ireland and here in Northern Ireland.  The aim is to create 22 new ÉCONOMUSÉE and around 20 new jobs, taking the number of ÉCONOMUSÉE to around 40 in Europe.  The Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust has been an enthusiastic partner from the very beginning. It is a pleasure to work with them and on behalf of the ÉCONOMUSÉE Network I wish Broighter Gold ÉCONOMUSÉE every success in the future.

Bill Harpur, Chairman of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust commented: We have been honoured to work with Leona and Richard on establishing their small farm enterprise as an ÉCONOMUSÉE and we wish them every success in the future with their award winning Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil and also with their artisan museum.’

The Mayor of Limavady Borough Council, Cllr Cathal McLaughlin added: ‘Limavady Borough Council is delighted to be associated with this project and we welcome visitors to enjoy the experience and the hospitality offered in the Broighter Gold ÉCONOMUSÉE workshop.

2013 is an important year for the Derry ~ Londonderry City of Culture and Broglasco Farm is perfectly situated at the gateway to Derry and on the Causeway Coastal Route.’

More than 60 delegates attended the launch despite the wintry conditions including the Chief Executive of Limavady Borough Council Liam Flanigan, Micheal Scullion proprietor of Scullion Hurls, Loughgiel, Julie McLaughlin NITB, Chairperson of Moyle District Council Cllr Sandra Hunter, Robin Bolton CAFRE’s Senior Crops Development Adviser, Chairman of Binevenagh AONB Management Group Mike Jones, local restaurateurs and students from North West Regional College along with many more guests.

Leona commented: ‘We owe a great deal of gratitude to our friends and family for helping us to achieve this status and especially for helping us to get the workshop ready for today’s launch.

Huge thanks must go to the ÉCONOMUSÉE network, the Northern Periphery Programme Limavady Borough Council, NITB and the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust.