FIRE DESTROYED the main production unit of the Skelligs chocolate company at St Finan’s Bay off the Ring of Kerry in the early hours of Saturday.
The chocolate company claims to be “the most westerly in Europe” and has built up a reputation as a leading artisan chocolatier in the decade since it began operating.
The factory, which overlooks the Skellig rock, has also become a tourist attraction in the area and employs local people.
Fire units from Cahersiveen and Sneem were at the scene on Saturday after the fire was spotted at about 6am.
The company employs about 10 people locally, and had only recently expanded its area of production, doubling in size after taking over another chocolate company.
It specialises in presentation gifts and hand-made chocolates, and supplies both the domestic and overseas market.
It is understood the owner has been on a marketing trip in the US since last week.
Locals said they were hoping an alternative premises for chocolate-making might be found in the run-up to the busy Christmas market.
It takes about five days to make the award-winning chocolate truffles.
Gardaí in Cahersiveen said the St Finan’s Bay premises had been sealed off for technical examination. A forensic investigation of the scene is due to take place today.
As yet they do not know the cause of the fire.