Dungarvan Co-op celebrates 100 years
Come and take a trip down memory lane as the Dungarvan Co-operative Society marks 100 years in existence with a major celebration.
The centenary event will kick off with an open day at Glanbia Ireland’s Dungarvan Agribusiness store on Friday, August 23rd from 12pm to 5pm as farmers, staff and members of the community look back over the action-packed decades.
Minister of State Andrew Doyle; Glanbia Group managing director Siobhán Talbot; Glanbia Ireland chief executive Jim Bergin; Glanbia group Chairman Martin Keane and stars of the Waterford hurling team will be there to mark the special day.
It’s an opportunity for all to catch up with staff and friends, with refreshments and tasty nibbles available from midday.
A live broadcast by WLR will ensure the music is flowing, whilst there will be something for all the family with Ardmore Pet Farm on site from 1pm. There will be ongoing giveaways throughout the afternoon, free refreshments to mark the occasion, children’s face painting and treats such as the popular Avonmore Mooju drinks.
A BBQ will get underway from 1.30pm, with Kilmeaden cheese, strawberries and Avonmore cream among the tasty refreshments.
There will be offers and special discounts running throughout the weekend, including Friday, August 23rd and Saturday, August 24th.
Celebrating 100 years
The team behind a new book to mark the centenary celebration of Dungarvan Co-op will be on hand to chart its history.
This book sets out the first fateful steps taken by seven farmers as they gathered in the market square in Dungarvan 100 years ago to navigate their way through trying times. Farmers were coping with plunging prices following the end of World War I, while the country was in the throes of revolution with the War of Independence underway.
Dungarvan was always at the pioneering edge of the dairy sector in Ireland and the early directors swiftly sought to extend its operations to include a mill.
In 1936 the Co-op negotiated an invaluable contract with Cow & Gate for the supply of roller dried powder milk, a contract that saw them through the lean times of World War II.
Dungarvan again took the lead in 1964 when it negotiated the amalgamation of nearly all the co-ops in Waterford under the umbrella of Waterford Co-op.
Waterford Co-op
Waterford Co-op continued the pioneering spirit of Dungarvan when it revolutionised milk collection with the introduction of the first bulk tanks in the country.
This initiative transformed the productivity of farms, enabled farm expansion and had wide-ranging implications for the social fabric of rural communities. It also led to radical changes in the branch structure and in the functions and operation of branch creameries.
In 1972, it benefitted from the huge addition of Castlelyons Co-op. Joining the EEC in 1973 gave a huge boost to the dairy industry and by 1982 the Co-op had passed the 100 million gallons per year mark in milk intake.
The staff have continued with the same innovative mindset as the original founders to grow the store into the bustling business that it is today.
Please visit www.glanbiaconnect.com for further details.
