Over 60 years of Kanturk Co-Operative Mart Pt. 1

By TADHG CURTIN

The year 2019 saw Kanturk Co - Operative Mart celebrate 60 years in business. It was quite an achievement. A wonderful banquet was held to celebrate such an anniversary with a wonderful night had by everyone who attended. But as we all know, 2019 seemed to be the last peaceful time before the world stopped for nearly two years.

Yet Kanturk Mart adapted to the unique situation, taking their auctions online. Even now, as things have returned to normal, the online auction has proved very beneficial to those unable come in person to bid. According to current Mart Chairman John Cott, 40% of the livestock sales in Kanturk are done online. It is some difference to the Mart’s humble beginnings in 1959, but it involved the same mindset - forward thinking.

Before the concept of Marts came into being, purchasing and selling cattle was done at street fairs. Not many are old enough to remember the dodgy dealing and tangling at these things, but the introduction of Marts was a blessing. However, many in the rural community were sceptical at this prospect, fearing a disastrous downturn in business. But prior to selling and buying at a Mart, very few farmers knew the actual weight of their animals and therefore could not put a proper weight on them. Farmers were often exploited and cheated by unscrupulous dealers who would attempt to purchase cattle from unsuspecting owner at hugely undervalued prices on the way to the fair. A group of men with great vision foresaw the great benefits a local Mart would bring to the area.

And so, the wheels of this new venture were first set in motion at a meeting of the Special Members of the Kanturk Co-Operative Mart Ltd on June 19th 1959. The main driving force behind the project was sought to not only seek finance from local farmers, but the business community in Kanturk. The response for finance from the town was strong and immediately forthcoming, and it was decided to purchase a field situated in the heart of the town - known locally as the Circus Field - for £2000. The minutes from that meeting proudly recorded the following words - “You are now in business through your own efforts and without aid or grants from the State or any other source”.

Kanturk Co-Operative Mart LTD. Founder Committee, November 1959 STANDING: M. Herlihy, C. O’Sullivan, E.P. Hipwell, Manager National Bank T.G. Daly, P. McAuliffe, T.D, M.C.C, W.J. Lenahan (Solr to Mart), B. O’Sullivan, C. O’Callagahn, J.J. Smith. SITTING: J. Ahern, P.P. O’Connoor, J. Power (Secretary), P. Burton, M.C.C. Chairman, E. Kiely, T. O’Reilly (Vice Chairman), D. Herlihy. Absent: T. F. Bourke, J. Barry.

Phil Burton, Canon O’Leary - blessing the Mart upon its opening, Fr. Twomey & JIm Power.

The first auction was held on November 2nd 1959 with calves going on sale. Jim Power was appointed the Marts first Manager in October 1959. He proved to a very popular choice, having a great reputation for interacting with farmers in a very open and transparent manner. He retained that position until his retirement in 1979. In the early years, Colm Cronin and John O’Connell were the first auctioneers. They were later joined by Phil Burton TD, who was excluded from that post as he was then acting as Chairman of the Committee. Mikey Breen was the first auctioneers’ clerk. The Mart was also served by the following auctioneers; James Crowley, Paddy O’Connor, Joseph T. Cronin, and Dan O’Reilly.

Jim Power Secretary & Philip Burton Chairman at the opening of the Mart in 1959

L-R Joe Egan, Austin O’Toole, Tony Langan & Bobby Shields, May 1972.

And so the mart’s reputation grew. It was not unusual for cattle dealers to travel all the way down from the Midlands and the north each week as they became aware of the high quality of Duhallow livestock being produced in the area. Indeed during particularly busy periods for the mart, staff oversaw the buying and selling of up to 1,300 calves in one day.

Myles O’Reilly from Co. Monaghan giving a hand at the calf auction, July 13th 2022.

That tradition continues to this day. The economy is very scatter shot right now as a result of the pandemic and what is happening in the Ukraine, but Kanturk Co- Operative Mart endures. There are some experienced individuals who are still coming to the Mart who can attest to the many changes since the Marts conception, which you can look forward to in Part 2.

Kanturk Mart released a wonderful publication in 2019 commemorating its 60 years in operation. Proceeds from the books sales went to Dogs for the Disabled Dromcollogher & District Respite Centre.