THE STORY
OF
ARRABAWN CO-OP
of the debt himself - that is the kind of man he was. “In those days he was the only one around here with a car and when people in the area had to go to hospital he always sent the car to take them. He was very good to the people and he finished a poor man when he died in Ennis and his funeral came back to Killaloe Cathedral”, he said. In 1974 discussions were opened with Nenagh Co-op on amalgamation. Brud Skehan was directly involved in the negotiations.
Patrick ‘Brud’ Skehan, the last Chairman of the Society.
Within a few weeks of his 97th birthday, which he celebrated in 2012, Brud Skehan recalled the memories of his late father and his own recollections on the history of the co-op.
“We were only struggling at that time. The machinery at the creamery was becoming obsolete and in need of being replaced. The store trade was only struggling. I felt that amalgamation was the right way to go at that time. “Not all of the committee were in favour but there was a majority and I was very pleased” said Brud Skehan who had the honour of being the last chairman of a society which his father played a leading role in establishing.
“Ernst Browne, who was involved from the start was a very generous and helpful man who did a lot for the co-op and the people around here. He was a great man and a real old gentleman”, he recalled.
The amalgamation was approved by the Nenagh Committee on March 28, 1974.
“When the money was owed on the store and farmers were going to be levied to pay off the debt, he took it upon himself to pay a quarter
Staff when intake of milk at the branch ceased were P J Kennedy and John Skeehan.
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