WHEN Sarah Shrimpton and Stephen Kearns left London at the end of 2023, they thought they were trading in long commutes and high-pressure careers for a quieter life in West Cork.

Stephen, originally from Rathbarry, near Clonakilty, dreamed of raising their young family back home, while Sarah, a native of North London, was ready for a new chapter after a decade as a corporate lawyer.

Stephen had worked in banking and finance, but the couple decided it was time to swap the rat race for something simpler.

Instead, their lives became busier than ever, but in the best way possible.

Shortly after they settled back home, the couple took over Baile an Ard Foods, a beloved salad production company in Lyre, Clonakilty, that is best known for its creamy coleslaws and delicious potato salads.

The couple, who have been together for 10 years, believe life in West Cork is certainly quieter, even if running a business and raising two toddlers is keeping them busy.

For Sarah, the change has been nothing short of transformative. ‘It’s funny looking back,’ Sarah told The Southern Star. ‘During one of my early trips to Clonakilty, many years ago, Stephen picked up a twin pack of Baile an Ard’s coleslaw and potato salad in Scally’s SuperValu and said: “If you ever buy us coleslaw and potato salad, this is the one to buy.”

‘Now, all these years later, we’re the ones making sure people can keep enjoying it,’ said Sarah.

Brand loyalty has been a cornerstone of the success of the company. ‘The previous owners built a brand and product that people love, and as a small business we’re grateful that people continue to enjoy it,’ said Sarah.

‘The number of customers who tell us they won’t eat any other coleslaw is lovely to hear and we thank them for their support.’

The couple are adding their own chapter to the Baile an Ard story by expanding the range and number of shops from which you can purchase their products.

Alongside the classics, shops are now stocking their egg mayonnaise, and tuna mayonnaise, sandwich fillers, which are designed to make mealtimes easier.

Sarah believes the success of their new range is due to the fact that they are perfect in sandwiches, wraps or salads, and a god-send for people who have taken to packing lunches instead of eating out.

‘West Cork food has a reputation for quality, and we’re proud to contribute to that,’ said Stephen, who is well-known through his mother Ann Twohig Kearns, a former principal of Rathbarry NS, and his dad, Michael of Michael Kearns Carpets and Furniture.

‘It’s exciting to see our products out there, and to know that they’re helping to make life a little easier for everyone,’ he said.

Taking life a little easier was, after all, their inspiration for moving West.

The shift from law and finance to food production has been an unexpected adventure, but one that Sarah and Stephen have embraced wholeheartedly.

Instead of city offices, their days now revolve around the rhythms of a business that is a part of West Cork’s food scene, and they described each day as being as ‘fresh and unpredictable as the next.

‘It has certainly been a lifestyle change in every sense, but it’s one that I would do all over again in a heartbeat,’ said Sarah.

The couple and their seven employees are looking forward to celebrating their first anniversary in business in October.

The couple’s story reflects the resilience of West Cork’s food culture, and the opportunities it creates for those willing to embrace it.

Follow them on Instagram and Facebook, or on their website https://baileanardfoods.ie.