McKillen-linked firm invests €350K to rescue Skellig Chocolates
What's the deal? Skellig Chocolates, an artisan chocolatier based in Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry, has been rescued from examinership after a €350,000 investment by Vermilion Ltd, an Isle of Man company connected to the McKillen family. The deal saves 25 jobs and allows the business to exit the examinership process it entered in March.
Examiner Joe Walsh, an accountant with JW Accountants, said in an affidavit that the investment had "the support from the requisite number and value of creditors" needed for approval.
Why now? The company entered examinership in March, a court-supervised process that gives struggling Irish businesses breathing room to restructure. The creditor approval clears the path for Skellig Chocolates to emerge and continue operations.
What could go wrong? Examinership rescues don't always guarantee long-term survival. The underlying pressures that pushed the chocolatier into difficulty — whether rising input costs, supply chain issues, or weak demand — may persist. A €350,000 injection is modest, and the business will need sustained performance to stay viable.
The signal: Small artisan food producers across Ireland and the UK remain vulnerable to cost pressures, even as consumer appetite for premium local products holds steady. The McKillen family's involvement signals that well-connected investors see value in preserving niche food brands — and that examinership, when it works, can offer a genuine second chance for small employers in rural communities.
Read more: thecurrency.news
