It’s ‘roasting’ in Coleraine thanks to Colombian grown coffee at Fidela Économusée
Fidela Coffee in Coleraine became the 13th Économusée launched in Northern Ireland on Thursday 20th April. Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust launched the coffee roastery into this international network of elite artisans along with guests from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Tourism NI and guest speaker Mitch McComb from NI Coffee Maps.
Located in Coleraine, a harbour town with a history stretching back to the megalithic period. Fidela Coffee offers visitors a range of bookable coffee experiences for all abilities from their roastery and coffee shop along with the opportunity to hear their story, and to discover traditional production techniques and contemporary products, stamped with identity and originality.
Frank and Rachel, founders of Fidela began their coffee journey in Columbia in 2016 following a visit to Frank’s family farms in the well-known coffee region Nariño. Realising the opportunities and exciting prospects of the coffee, Frank and Rachel returned to Coleraine and set up Fidela Coffee Roasters in 2019.
Named after Frank’s grandmother Fidela, a pioneer in coffee farming in her local area, the Coleraine enterprise maintains the strong Colombian family connection by sourcing their coffee beans from the Nariño farms of their relatives and friends.
The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Councillor Ivor Wallace said: “Producers like Fidela Coffee Roaster have made an enormous contribution to the food sector here in the Borough and I am delighted that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council could support Rachel on her Economusée journey. I would like to congratulate Rachel, Frank and the Fidela team on this accolade and wish them every success in the future.”
Leading on the Économusée project in N. Ireland and facilitating the launch was Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust. Graham Thompson, CEO said; “’ Économusée is a growing international network with over 110 artisans renowned for their excellence. Each of the Économusée artisans are passionate artisans who love to share their passion and stories with everyone who comes to their door. Visitors will have the opportunity to view their creative spaces and meet the individuals dedicated to the preservation of traditional skills that are steeped in history. Économusée is an experience that captures the hearts of locals and visitors.”
The Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust charity was established in 2002 as a partnership body devoted to protecting and enhancing the unique natural, built & cultural heritage of the Causeway Coast & Glens, including the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Causeway Coast & Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Antrim Coast and Glens Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Giants Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site. It includes representation from the councils in partnership with representatives from the environment, the community, the education, the farming, and tourism sectors. www.ccght.org
Économusée Artisans at Work is a concept that was developed in Québec and involves partners from Canada, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, Haiti, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Within Northern Ireland the other Économusée workshops operating in are; Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil in Limavady, Steenson’s Jewellers in Glenarm, Hot Milk Forge in Martinstown and Ursa Minor Bakehouse, Broughgammon Farm, North Coast Smokehouse in Ballycastle, Audrey Kyle Art and Gobbins Crafts in Islandmagee, the Creamery Can in Glarryford and The Chocolate Manor in Castlerock. Each workshop is situated on or close by the famous Causeway Coastal Route making it an ideal craft trail for locals and visitors.
For more information on the Économusée network contact tierna@ccght.org or visit www.economusees.com
Press or communication questions contact portia@ccght.org
MAIN PHOTO REFERENCE LIST
Group 1: Graham Thompson Chief Executive Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT), Councillor Ivor Wallace is The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Ciaran Doherty Head of Regions Tourism NI, Rachel Dillon Owner Fidela Coffee Roasters, Mitchell McComb NI Coffee Maps.
Group 2: Graham Thompson Chief Executive Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT), Councillor Ivor Wallaceis The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Ciaran Doherty Head of Regions Tourism NI, Mitchell McComb NI Coffee Maps, Rachel Dillon Owner Fidela Coffee Roasters.
Outdoor Group: Graham Thompson Chief Executive Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust (CCGHT), Rachel Dillon Owner Fidela Coffee Roasters, Ciaran Doherty Head of Regions Tourism NI Councillor Ivor Wallaceis The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Frank Owner Fidela Coffee Roasters, Mitchell McComb NI Coffee Maps.
Rachel Dillon & Frank Portilla Owners of Fidela Coffee Roasters cutting the cake.
Rachael, Tierna, Portia, Graham & Carole the staff of Causeway Coast & Glens Heritage Trust with Owners & Staff at Fidela Coffee Roasters.
Owners Frank Portilla & Rachel Dillion along with the team at Fidela Coffee Roasters.
Photography by Steven McAuley Multimedia
