Sod-and-shamrock sales rocket after Bush receives gift
The Auld Sod, based in Crookstown, Co Cork, is celebrating an remarkable first year, having exported soil and shamrocks worth more than $2m to the US. Auld Sod founder Pat Burke told the Irish Independent that being asked to supply the shamrock for the St Patrick's Day celebration at the White House in Washington yesterday was "a dream come true".
The firm has now received a $100,000 contract from an Irish-American businessman to supply enough soil to fill his New York grave, and a $140,000 contract from a wealthy Boston investor who wants his new mansion built on a six-inch layer of Irish soil. The firm's website even crashed because of an avalanche of hits.
The Cork firm, which now employs 20 staff, has also been flooded with orders for Irish soil to grow roses for St Valentine's Day; parcels of sod for the planting of Christening trees; and even soil for wedding bouquets. "It has been absolutely staggering. I simply couldn't believe the demand," Pat said.
The build-up to St Patrick's Day is proving to be the company's busiest period but it has a year-round trade supplying weddings, funerals, christenings and "lucky" gifts. The firm was established last year to try to raise money for a variety of charities, who receive 80pc of its earnings.
The Auld Sod is the only firm licensed to import soil into the US, which has a strict policy on disease and pest control.
But Auld Sod developed a patented system to treat the soil first in Ireland and then in the US, so it is guaranteed to be pest and organism free.
Pat said that the firm's main sales have been in the US but it has been astounded by demand from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and even South America.
The firm was astonished at a soil inquiry from China. "Apparently stories about the 'luck of the Irish' have spread to China, where people tend to be a little suspicious and strong believers in good luck charms," Pat said.
The firm is liaising with six distributors in China, who plan to sell small packets of 'Lucky Irish Soil'.
Yesterday's ceremony at the White House also marked an ironic first.
Traditionally, the shamrock was flown to the US with the Taoiseach in the Government jet and then formally presented in a crystal bowl.
This year, Auld Sod shipped the soil to Washington several weeks ago and the shamrock was grown in the US.
- Ralph Riegel
