All around the world, from the mountains of Provence to the outback of New South Wales; from the tropical island of Madagascar to the Valley of the Roses in Bulgaria; there are organic farmers and distillers (mostly small and medium size family enterprises) working with nature with great sensitivity and intelligence to produce the really fine natural and certified organic oils we supply. We are very happy to represent these people here in Ireland.
Our Story
by David Kelly
The Beginning
After studying Geology and Industrial Chemistry, I was living in Mayo, working in the laboratory in Ceimice Teo Syrup factory in Ballina. In 1983 my wife Aine went to America on holidays and brought back a Weleda Lavender Bath milk. I thought this was great stuff, and on my next trip to Dublin searched for another bottle without success. Then I visited Greenacres health store on Fleet Street where the owner suggested I buy a bottle of pure Lavender oil instead. I soon discovered Patchouli and Ylang Ylang oils, and the surprising fact that different Lavender oils smelt different. And so a certain fascination developed and persisted. In 1984, the Ceimice Teo factory closed. We had no prospects of employment so we opened a Health Food Shop where, among other products we stocked essential oils. After a year we closed the shop and in November 1985 we began wholesaling oils to Health stores. Over the next few years, most of the Health stores in Ireland took on our range of essential oils. We also started supplying quite a wide variety of customers, from pharmacies to nursing homes, from aromatherapists to educational establishments. In 1989 we moved back to the east coast. After a few years working from our garage at home, in 1995 we rented premises in Bray, Co. Wicklow.
The Products
In 1985 we bought our first organic Lavender oil sourced from the Fra family farm in Haute Provence, who still supply all our organic lavender. Over time we developed good working relationships with organic growers in many countries, particular in France where they combine rich traditions of herbal production with judicious use of new technologies. We have steadily increased our range to become leading specialists in the supply of organic essential oils. We are certified in this by the Organic Trust Ltd.
As well as essential oils, carrier oils and floral waters, we have developed, with our own unique formulations, ranges of aromatic massage oils and pure essential oil blends.
We now operate from our small premises in Bray where we manufacture our products. We are registered as Cosmetic manufacturers with the Health Products Regulatory Authority. We have developed close relationships with other like minded businesses in our field. To keep abreast of technical and regulatory matters which arise we work with the Obus School of Aromatherapy, Leixlip, Co. Kildare, and we are members of the Irish Health Trade Association (I.H.T.A.)
Our Team
Our team have all been with us for many years and have a wide range of skills and qualifications which help us maintain consistent quality of both products and services.
Directors: David Kelly, Aine Kelly, Roisin Kelly
General Manager: Michelle Murphy
Assistant General Manager: Roisin Kelly
Sales Manager & Aromatherapist: Ellen Cox Dip. Aromatherapy Member I.F.P.A
Quality Assurance: Jonathan Roche B.Sc. Herbal Science
Production: Colin McGrane (Supervisor), Mandy O’Connor, Shane Slevin
The Future
We look forward in the years ahead to continuing to develop our range of essential oils and of massage oils. Things change continually in the world of aromatic plants. Now there are a growing number of organic fair trade oils which are beginning to come on the market. This development is spearheaded by some excellent growers and distillers with real vision for the future of both the earth and humanity. We look forward to working with these people and continuing to bring these really lively, aromatic and ethical products to the customers who have supported us very well over the last 39 years. We are very happy to work with the vibrant Health stores of Ireland, where our products are available in virtually every corner of the country.
David S Kelly