The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
“It never felt like work, just a labour of love”
WHEN business is personal it makes life not only easier but also makes what you do seem better and this is precisely the case at Gortatlea Mart where Maurice Brosnan, owner and manager, took over the reins from his uncle Sean in January 2015. The mart was first established 34 years ago by Sean, with the help and support of friends and family, and today the line of Brosnan blood is again successfully steering the mart towards a new era - aided and encouraged by its cherished customers who lie at the heart of the mart’s success.
A quick look at Maurice’s family background is all that’s required to answer any questions one may have about why it is Gortatlea Mart has grown to be the success it is today. Maurice’s entire life is about cattle and he has worked in the business - boy to man - as did his late dad Maurice before him.
One can safely say the Brosnans have cattle in their blood and as a young boy Maurice would finish school and rush down to the mart in Gortatlea to work in the yard, the ring - or wherever it was he felt he was needed. Back then Maurice just wanted to be a part of the mart; today the mart is very much a part of him.
“It never felt like work, just a labour of love,” Maurice said.
The circle of life for the Brosnan’s is all about cattle and Maurice’s son, Darren, is now following in his dad’s footsteps spending whatever time he can at the mart looking, working and learning. Family ties are important to Maurice and they go hand in hand with everything he has known, loved and respected about life and cattle.
“I spent years working side by side with my late father and my uncle Seán since the mart opened in 1982. My mother, Anna Brosnan, also worked in the office clerking for years and now she helps me in the administrative side of things.”
But like all captains of successful ships, they require a reliable and hardworking crew and at Gortatlea Mart the reputation for efficient and friendly service is the benchmark for staff employed in the office and yard.
“We have a great team working here and our mart is quite unique in that it is owner run. We have put our own personal stamp on the business and we aim to continue providing a top class service to our customers into the future. It has a personal touch and no one runs a business like the person who owns it themselves. We believe in fair play to buyers and sellers and we also arrange transport for buyers and sellers using local hauliers which also creates employment, locally,” Maurice concluded. I want to take this opportunity to give a special thanks to all Gortatlea Mart customers, buyers and sellers for all their support since I opened the mart.