Sugar was a very important colonial product in the development of capitalism in Western society: from the 1600s onwards, it began to change from a luxury item to a necessity, a process that accompanied the industrial revolution. The world’s production of sugar has not fallen for more than a period of a decade or so during the past five centuries – infact the demand for sugar globally has risen rapidly and continuously. World sugar production shows the most remarkable upward production curve of any major food on the world market over the course of several centuries, and is continuing upward still. What stimulates this kind of demand? Why this unquenchable desire for sweetness?

Since sugar seems to satisfy a particular desire (and in doing so it seems, awakens that desire anew), so does the acquisition of property. What makes this demand work? One cannot simply assume that everyone has an infinite desire for sweetness, any more than one can assume the same about a desire for comfort or wealth or power. Sugar (a substance) and sweetness (a desire) link the individual and localities to a global sense of history and political geography.

photo © Sarah Browne

Sweet Futures' centre of operations is based in Carlow, and for this publication we have focused our research and interviews here. This has involved talking to farmers, developers, politicians, former factory workers and the ‘man on the street’.

The publication contains a fresh look at some interesting statistics, some thoughts on the future of the decommissioned land at the sugar factory, interviews with Carlow people and a look abroad at what has happened in other countries affected by the changes in EU sugar policy. These include places as far afield as the Caribbean and Eastern Europe. Many of these places are providing attractive investment and holiday opportunities for Irish investors.

photo © Le Touessrok Resorts

Sweet Futures is split into two halves, HOME and AWAY, a process that twins Carlow with a series of far-flung locations.

The Last Campaign: Peadar Jordan, Carlow sugar farmer & Chairman of the IFA Sugar Committee speaks about the recent sudden changes in the Carlow landscape

New Future for the Old Factory: Maurice Fitzgerald of Greencore presents the exciting new plans for the Carlow Gateway development, to be located on the old sugar factory site

The Sweet Smell of Nostalgia: Sarah Browne profiles what used to be Mrs. Kelly’s Sweetshop in Carlow town

Vox Pop: Fabiana Tock and Sarah Browne take to the streets of Carlow to ask, what do you think about the proposed plans for the Sugar Factory site?

A Socialist’s Dream: County Councillor Joe McDonald of Pinewood Avenue talks about the aspirations of the housing built for the sugar factory workers in Carlow and elsewhere

Pull-Out Map (Limited to Print Version)

Irish Take Their Wishes to Mauritius: Linda Maher reports on the popularity of ‘sugar island’ Mauritius with Irish property investors

Bagasse: A father and son describe share their memories of life on a sugar plantation estate

Sucre: Sugar, Memory and Tourism in Mauritius: Gayle Chong Kwan looks at attempted replacement industries for the sugar industry in Mauritius

New Frontiers: Talking to Carlow girl Kathryn Thomas about her travels, and her opinions on responsible tourism

The Economics of Happiness: Colin Clarke looks at the workings of the international ‘happiness industry’

Naming Places - Memory, Nostalgia, Amnesia: Sarah Browne looks at the role of placenaming in commemorating and constructing histories for places

Country Profiles: holiday resorts and investment opportunities in developing countries