ATHENRY MART (1959-1985)

In 1959, 16 men came together in Athenry to attempt to put a National Farmers Association ideal to work. Two years later the Athenry Co-operative Mart officially opened. Their first turnover in 1961 was £40,000 and in 1985 it was no less than £31,273,000. This was an increase of 700%, and put them into the top 150 companies in Ireland.

Originally there was just three knock-off points or off-loading long snoots, now there are twelve. Often loading used to take up to five hours but now can be done within two and a half.

Apart from the 70 people employed full-time and part-time, Athenry is well aware of the spin-offs from the mart. In 1985 many of the original 16 men on the Co-op committee were still the same. Padraic Raftery was the first Chairman of that committee and was still the Chairman in 1985.

After just ten years, Athenry mart had a turnover of £3m. Today there would be a turnover of over £1m in a few hours. Prom the initial £40,000 for 1961, the Co-op turned over £596,000 in 1965. By 1971 that had risen to £3,316,000 and by the mid-seventies the figure rose to £8,818,000. The massive development increased and in 1980 it had increased to £23,717,000.   At the end of 1984, the turnover reached £31,273,000 while other marts were not doing as well.    According to Padraic Raftery the Committee Chairman, this was due to the Mart Manager Kevin Dooley, who became the manager in 1973, and his staff.

Between 1984 and 1985, the Co-op installed a sewerage system to comply with EEC conditions. The new off-loading shoots were designed to facilitate the farmers and general public. Up to this traffic congestion on the roads was a major problem on mart days.

Before the mart opened, Athenry had a traditional local fair, Now thanks to the mart they have clean streets and no traffic jams. In 1985 Athenry mart could cater for 3,000 cattle and 10,000 sheep. At that time there were also three sales rings and a canteen. Also on the grounds of the mart are:- The I.P.A. Headquarters for County Galway, the Allied ^xrish Banks sub-office, the Irish Farmers Accounts Centre office and the local F.B.D. Insurance Office.

Cattle sales are held on Tuesday and Thursdays. Cows, calves and yearlings are sold on Thursday; sheep are sold on Mondays. From April to August there is a separate lamb sale on Wednesdays. Also, on Thursdays there is a special calf ring for sales.

In 1985, the minimum you had to pay to buy a share was £50. In that same year there were 1,400 shareholders.

Athenry Co-op mart began business at its present site on October 24, 1961 – with one sales ring and accommodation for 500 cattle.