Ahubfor farmers across Wexfordfor the past 40 years
OFFICIALLY opened on July 22, 1977 the Farm Centre in Enniscorthy has been a hub for farmers across Wexford for the past 40 years.
The idea for the Farm Centre came about in the early 70s shortly after Ireland joined the then EEC and there was a very strong emphasis on agriculture. Farming meetings across Wexford and indeed the rest of Ireland were very well attended.
Information wasn’t as easily accessible as it is now and IFA meetings were crucial for farmers. At the time the meetings were held in various different locations and the IFA executive decided it would be better to have their own building where they could meet in large numbers.
As a result of this a building committee was established with a view to buying a building.
The former Enniscorthy Motor Company building came up for sale and was bought by the farmers of Wexford by way of share capital which was collected through the branch networks of the IFA.
Newspaper reports from the Wexford People at the time outlined how the building was purchased for approximately £30,000. The building was then converted into offices, meeting rooms and a conference room - all of which were estimated to cost around £40,000.
Ferns contractor James Murphy of Clologue carried out the works on the building with works starting in November 1976.
The Farm Centre went onto become the headquarters of all farm-related organisations in the Model County.
In addition to being the headquarters of the IFA in the county, the building has 4,200 sq feet of office space. A number of organisations has run their businesses from the offices at the centre since it opened 40 years ago and the current tenants still include the IFA.
Within the building there is also a conference room, board room, and kitchen.
Secretary of the Farm Centre, Joe Byrne, said the building was officially opened on July 22, 1977 by the then president of the IFA, Paddy Lane, who was a former MEP and rugby international.
Mr Byrne said the centre currently has 1,800 ordinary shareholders who was all Wexford farmers.
In 1983 the committee took out a club licence which allowed them to sell alcohol at social functions. This is still in operation and managed by Marie Dunphy. Mr Byrne said that the centre is used by lots of the members for various meetings and social occasions.
The main income for the farm centre is rent from the letting of offices in the large building.