Askeaton Grieves Job Loss as New York Times Highlights Factory Closure

The small town of Askeaton in rural Ireland gained international attention when the New York Times featured a front-page article highlighting the closure of the local Nestlé factory. This significant event resulted in the loss of nearly 500 jobs and has sent ripples through the local economy. The piece, titled “A Formula for Prosperity Sours,” appeared in the weekend edition on October 18-19, 2023 and was authored by journalist Alexandra Stevenson, the Shanghai bureau chief for the publication.

The article primarily focuses on the impact of the factory’s closure, which was announced in late 2023. This decision marks a troubling chapter for Askeaton, where the factory had been a vital source of employment and economic stability.

Carmel Ryan, manager of the town’s tourism office, played a crucial role in facilitating the article. She recounts an unexpected encounter with Stevenson and her team while they were searching for a restroom. After granting them access to her office facilities, Ryan engaged in a conversation that led to further interviews with various community members, including Jimmy O’Donoghue, chairman of the Community Council, and representatives from the local credit union and municipal district.

“Within 30 minutes, we had set up interviews for her with several key figures in the community,” Ryan explained. She also connected Stevenson with former councillor Kevin Sheahan, local priest Fr. Seán Ó Longaigh, and numerous current and former employees of Nestlé, which previously operated under the name Wyeth.

The interviews took place in the tourism office, where Stevenson and her team gathered insights about the community’s reaction to the factory closure. Ryan described the day as surreal, noting, “It was a rapid day, like we were in a parallel universe or something!”

After the reporting concluded, Stevenson joined locals at a nearby pub, creating a connection that went beyond mere journalism. Ryan had anticipated that the article might be featured in a regional edition, perhaps even the Chinese edition, given Stevenson’s base in Hong Kong. “I said to everyone, we’ll probably never hear another word,” she laughed, unaware of the article’s extensive reach.

The article caught the attention of the Irish ambassador to Ethiopia, Olivia Leslie, who shared a snapshot of the front page with a friend from Askeaton. Since then, Ryan has received around 20 copies of the front page via WhatsApp and is actively seeking physical copies of the newspaper for keepsakes.

The feature not only highlights the immediate economic repercussions of the factory’s closure but also underscores the resilience and connectivity of the Askeaton community. The full article is available online for those wishing to read more about the situation.

Ryan reflects on the experience with a sense of pride for her town, noting, “It’s incredible to see Askeaton recognized on such a large platform.” The attention from a major international publication has brought the struggles of this rural community to the forefront, prompting discussions about the future and the need for economic diversification.