Just found out that Hunky Dory crisps, which maintain a large herd of buffalo in Co. Meath and produce a buffalo flavored crisp (third most popular in Ireland after cheese and onion, and, salt and vinegar, in Ireland) are planning to open a North American themed collection. It will hopefully open in June 2009! Hunky Dorys plans animal attack on the market: ThePost.ie "Pumas, snow leopards and black bears are expected to take up residence next summer beside a herd of buffalo in Ashbourne, Co Meath. Tayto and Hunky Dory crisps owner, Ray Coyle, who is already well known for keeping a large herd of buffalo, has just received interim planning permission to build a large American-style lodge. It will be located on a 47acre site close to the town of Ashbourne, which he intends to transform into a landscaped forest walk with a lake and small hills from where visitors will be able to see the animals. He has hired a manager from a major zoo to source the animals needed for a targeted opening date of next June. The centre, provisionally called the Hunky Dory Way, is modelled on similar enterprises overseas, particularly in the US. The ambitious venture, which will also feature a life-size ‘‘Indian village’’, will cost €8 million. ‘‘I see it as a marketing exercise,” said Coyle. ‘‘We see this attracting 250,000 people each year and if each of them has a positive experience and remembers their day, that’s really valuable for our brands.” The Hunky Dory Way will be accompanied by a factory visit option, called the Tayto Experience, where people can see crisps being made. Coyle plans to charge €10 a head entry fee to the park and hopes to make a further return from a restaurant and shops that are planned for the 18,000 square foot lodge. He said 70 staff would be needed to keep the centre running. ‘‘Everybody thinks you’re bonkers until you make a thing work,” said Coyle. ‘‘We’re convinced we’ll get the numbers through. We had the site, we had the buffalo – we’re a relatively small company without the money to spend on large TV campaigns.” Coyle’s company, Largo Foods, took over the Tayto and King brands in 2006 from C&C for €62.3 million. The company also owns Hunky Dorys, Perri and Sam Spudz. It is projecting Irish turnover of €100 million this year. Tayto is its biggest brand with a market share of 28 per cent; Hunky Dorys has 13 per cent and King has 11 per cent. Overall the group has a 47 per cent share of the Irish crisps and snacks market"
I was thinking that myself! probably a misprint on the journalists part! id say they mean puma or wolves!
Raymond Coyle with his herd of American Bison Here is the latest from Heritage Center Plans | Heritage Center | Largo Foods
"Tayto Park" officially opened today! The current collection includes raccoons, coati skunks, white lipped peccary, ocelot and whole host of other animals including the big herd of American bison. More animals are planned including bears and wolves! Here is a map of the park and a link to the website Tayto Crisps
With the dreadful financial situation in Ireland is hardly the best time to open . Good luck to them !
BBC News - Tayto amusement park opens in County Meath Their getting cougar AND mountain lion I will venture down south soon to explore this place I think!!!
What a great name- 'Tayto' land. I love it! Looks like the accent here is heavily geared toward serious wildlife conservation(I don't think)
But fair play - if you check the website the children's farm area is called 'Pet-Tayto Corner'. 'Pet-Tayto Corner'. Love it. In fairness, it's keeping some interesting species - not all that many places with Ocelots and White-lipped Peccaries. EDIT: I just spotted the 'Potatohontus Native American Village'. They must have had a really fun meeting naming all these things!
