Donnybrook over Oregon cheese reaches even Ireland

BANDON, Ore. — The mayor of Bandon has taken sides in the cheese-trademark struggle on the Oregon coast between the Tillamook dairy association and the town of Bandon.

That's the mayor of Bandon, Ireland — a 400-year-old town also renowned for its dairy herds and, yes, cheese making, where residents were milking cows long before the animal ever produced a drop in Oregon.

Two newspapers in Ireland have written articles noting the dispute between Oregon's city of Bandon and the Tillamook County Creamery Association. And now some townsfolk in Ireland's Bandon are wondering whether the company plans to reach abroad with its trademark claims.

After purchasing Bandon Cheese in 2000, the creamery sent letters to several business that use the name Bandon, warning that they may need to make a "content change" to avoid confusion with the cheese.

But city officials quickly retorted that the businesses lay claim to Bandon because it's the name of their town. Furthermore, warned City Manager Matt Winkel, the issue could have "international ramifications," because the Oregon town got its name from Bandon, Ireland.

The 5,000-population town in Ireland bills itself the "Gateway to Cork County," with a rich history in dairy farming.

There's even a "Bandon Cheese" in Ireland.

"It's excellent cheese," said Mayor Don McCarthy, reached this week on his cellphone in Ireland. "And there are various other cheeses in this area."

McCarthy said he'd be "offended" if the creamery made any attempts to claim his city's name.

The creamery has signaled no intention to do so.

The Irish town lies on the Bandon River, which flows from the Maughanaclea Hills and enters the Celtic Sea at a town called Kinsale.

It was established in 1608 by Richard Boyle, who became the earl of Cork. Its economy thrives on dairy farms and their reputation for producing high-quality cheese.

"I don't think that's pretty fair," McCarthy said of the Oregon dispute, given that the creamery no longer makes cheese in Bandon.

"It's not Bandon Cheese any more."

The mayor hopes that the centennial celebration will draw visitors from all over the world, especially from one of the other five towns named "Bandon."