Celebration marks 100 years at the forefront of dairy industry
MITCHELSTOWN CO-OP WAS, AT ONE STAGE, THE COUNTRY’S SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER
IN HIS book Mitchelstown Co- Operative Agricultural Society Ltd: A History 1919-1990 historian John Hough recalled how, in 1919, a group of local farmers were looking at setting up a body to “secure farm supplies at reasonable prices”.
He wrote that the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society sent organiser Patrick Courtney to advise them on the establishment of a co-op and after a series of meetings it was decided to set up the Mitchelstown Co- Operative Society, which was formally registered in June of that year.
Within a month it had secured a premises at New Market Square and trading began in November, with the newly formed co-operative boasting memberships of 400 and a 20-strong committee under the chairmanship of Cornelius O’Brien.
“It faced a good deal of opposition from local traders who didn’t welcome the competition that the new society offered. Thus began the fledgling Society in Mitchelstown,” wrote Mr Hough.
Initially stocking farmer requirements and general hardware, the co-op started buying milk in around 1925 and within three years had taken over 11 other locals creameries, in the process becoming the largest single creamery in the country.
It’s cheese business expanded in the following decade and by 1950 the co-op was the largest employer in the country behind Guinness.
Milk production continued to increase right up to the introduction of the milk quota in 1984 and six years later, following the merger with Ballyclough, it began working under the Dairygold name.
Last Thursday senior figures from Dairygold were joined by former management and employees of the co-op, Brendan Gleeson the secretary of the Department of Agriculture and a large crowd of well-wishers for an event to mark the centenary of the foundation of the Mitchelstown Co- Operative Agricultural Society Limited.
To mark the occasion Dairygold established an in-house collection of memorabilia at its Clonmel Road offices displaying a variety of old photographs and documents from the Mitchelstown Co- Op era.
The event also saw the official launch of Mr Hough’s book, which had been specially commissioned by Dairygold to mark the occasion.
Speaking at the event Brendan Gleeson said that a centenary celebration was a significant milestone for any business.
“But, to be celebrating a 100th anniversary as a successful, profitable and growing business is an achievement worth noting. Dairygold Co- Op and its predecessor Mitchelstown Co- Op, whose anniversary we celebrate, can lay claim to that distinction,” he said.
“The co-operative dairy industry has been a leading light in supporting rural farming life and employment across the Munster region over the generations. I have no doubt that we will continue to witness the ongoing success into the next 100 years.”
Dairygold chairman, John O’Gorman, said it was a significant occasion, not just for Dairygold, but also the people of Mitchelstown and the surrounding area and it was wonderful to celebrate the occasion.
“We are very pleased to be able to celebrate it today with those that have contributed to Dairygold’s success down through the years,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“It’s important to mark how far the co-operative has come in the past 100 years and as we look to the future for the society, we reflect on the triumphs and people that have gotten us to this point,” added Mr O’Gorman in conclusion.