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It’s A Credit To You - Kanturk Credit Union Celebrates 60 Years
This year, 2023, the community of Kanturk and the town are celebrating 60 years in existence together. From a casual meeting, in the Town Park, on the 16th August, 1963, grew the genesis of what we have in the present day. At the time, as a nation, Ireland was changing, we were exiting tough times and all the emigration of the 1950’s. There was certainly a mood of optimism around the country.
In the summer of 1963, American President John F Kennedy visited Ireland, Seán Lemass was Taoiseach and T K Whittaker’s economic expansion plan was being fleshed out. At national level, there were many discussions around the possibility of joining the EEC. At local level, people formed self-help groups. The development association to get advanced factories for Kanturk was very active, working to create employment and economic development. Kanturk Co-Operative Mart Ltd. had been set up to replace fairs and provide a more transparent and professional way of selling livestock. The area of North Cork was always very committed to the CoOperative movement. Horace Plunkett inspired the first Co-Operative Dairy in Dromcollogher in 1889, and Nora Herlihy, a native of Ballydesmond, was one of the leading lights in the development of Credit Unions in Ireland.
On the 16th August 1963, in what was a friendly conversation in the Town Park, Seamus O Mahony, Dónal Hanrahan, Michael Lucey and Tommy Cross discussed a recent TV program about Credit Union’s and decided to investigate it further. The first AGM of Kanturk Credit Union was held on the 16th October 1963. Those present at this inaugural meeting were Rev. Fr. Peader O’Keane (Chair), Denis Fitzpatrick (Vice Chair), William O’Brien (Treasurer), Donal Hanrahan (Secretary) E.P. Hogan, Frank Healy, Sarah Sheehan, Noel O’Brien, Peter Walsh, Con Holland, P.J. Moore, Michael Mannix, Patrick Allen and John Barry.
There was a strong view that communities should help themselves and that people who felt they were excluded from borrowing in banks should have alternatives. Credit Unions provided an alternative source of credit and allowed people to take an active role in their own development and satisfy their own needs. Kanturk, at the time, was a thriving market town, principally serving the agricultural community but also had some big employers. The principle of Credit Unions had been well established with member’s shares funding other member’s borrowings.
From these original meetings to regular loan clinics in The Edel Quinn Hall, things evolved. Our first premises were purchased in Percival Street in 1972, for £4,500. Prior to this, all the work was done on a voluntary basis. Peter Walsh was the manager at this time. From here a move to Strand Street and the purchase of the Market House (or Cronin’s Stores as it was called) was completed in 1993. A major restoration job was done by the Board of Directors at this time. The works were expertly done by Buckley Brothers Builders, Ballydesmond. They completely restored a façade that was described in the learned words of local historian, Pat O Sullivan, “… this five-bay façade of two stories, venetian style windows, and hexagonal clock-tower complete with weathervane...” to its original appearance. The building has a long history from the time it was built, in 1838. Over the years, it served as an industrial school for girls in 1852, and as the centre for an industrial exhibition in 1886, before becoming a hardware store. The works were complete, and a fully functioning Credit Union office was complete in 1996, with the layout very similar to what we have to this present day.
We now look forward to the next 60 years, and beyond, embracing change and innovation. We will continue to plan and give our members all the financial services they require here in Kanturk. The financial exclusion of any section of the community is a long and distant memory. Equality, fairness, transparency, and a member-oriented service, inspired by the original ethos of the Credit Union movement, carrying it into the future.
Kanturk Credit Union Board of Directors
“I am a firm believer in the operating principles of Credit Unions, especially, the core ethos of helping people”. These are the sentiments of Kanturk Credit Union Manager, Martin Lyons, who has been involved in credit union circles for over 25 years, initially, as a volunteer, with his local credit union in Abbeyfeale, to the present day, where he has been Manager of Kanturk Credit Union for over a decade.
Martin advised that the best part of his job is the face to face interaction with members and helping them in any way he can. “ I like meeting with members on a regular basis and dealing with any queries they have, from loans to savings and all the other products and services we offer here in Kanturk Credit Union”.
Kanturk Credit Union plays a vital role in the community of Kanturk with the common bond extended to neighbouring areas including Lismire, Banteer, Castlemagner, Kilbrin, Dromtarriffe, Freemount and Tullylease. Other people who work in the area are also entitled to open an account with Kanturk Credit Union. “ The staff here know the majority of our members on a first name basis, and are treated as a person and not a number, which I feel is very important, especially in the present day. Our doors are open 6 days a week and our phone is always answered. We have overcome a lot of obstacles since our last anniversary celebration in 2013 including, coming out of the recession, Covid-19, and the other issues and challenges that all businesses face on a daily basis. We are proud to have our doors open to mark this momentous occasion of 60 years serving the community of Kanturk, and we hope to keep building on our reputation and expanding our range of products and services for the people of Kanturk”, Martin concluded.
