Success of the centre comes fromits ability to service all sectors of the community

CHAIRMAN of the Farm Centre in Enniscorthy Willie French said he believes that the success of the centre comes from its ability to service all sectors of the community.

‘I think it has been successful over the years because of the way it is operated. We are doing quite well and are not in the business of making big money. We are about providing a services to the farming community as well as the wider community.

‘We service a lot of needs there.

‘ The building came about because of a small contribution from around 3,000 farmers and everyone had an input. All IFA members are entitled to be a member and I think that this breeds a certain amount of loyalty.

‘When it was established there wasn’t the same developments in the town as there is now and we didn’t have the same facilities so the farm centre served a very useful purpose in the town. Now we have two very fine hotels but we still hold a lot of meetings here in the centre.

‘We run a tight show and we are basically able to wash our own face and make a small bit of a surplus.

‘I think the centres holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Enniscorthy. It has stood the test of time, it’s in a good location and we’ve employed good people there over the years which helped in the good management of it.

‘Now it’s a lot more varied at the centre. As times changed we diversified out and over the years a lot of problems have been dealt with and sorted there.’

Willie paid tribute to Willie Doyle who he said was one of the main drivers of the purchase of the building.

He said that as the centre celebrates 40 years the committee are delighted that everything is still ship shape at the centre.