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GLANBIA COUNTRYLIFE MONASTEREVIN 5OTH ANNIVERSARY �������������������������
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Farmers canvassed for support But to return to the Monasterevin Creamery story. That October �� meeting of the Kildare NFA Executive decided to canvass farmers in the catchment area of Monasterevin seeking to persuade them to supply for the proposed creamery with the intention of establishing two milk separating stations – in Monasterevin and Ballytore. At a further Kildare NFA Executive meeting on November �, ����, the canvassers reported that £�,��� had been signed for in the Ballytore area, with more farmers still to be contacted. This was a hugely encouraging level of support for the proposed creamery. A group representative of the Monasterevin area intimated that £�,��� had been collected in cash and another £��� signed for. A temporary working committee was set up consisting of representatives from Ballyshannon, Ballytore, Moone, Kilcullen, Bigston, Dunlavin, Baltinglass and Ballymore-Eustace. Five delegates were elected to the NFA county committee. It was agreed at that both Monasterevin and Ballytore committees should work together to form a single co-operative. The Monasterevin organising committee members were: Harold Carter, Andrew Mahon, Christy Mooney, Eddie O’Loughlin, Dr Kirby, Denis Walsh, M P Kelly, Frank Flynn (agricultural inspector), Larry Morrin, P McDonald, Pat Lawler, Andy Wilson, Ger Lawlor, Joe Behan, Seán Costello, Dick Slevin, Simon Luttrell, John Boland, Mr Hutchinson, Mr Miller and two men from the Emo area. On November �� at a meeting of the joint committee, Harold Carter was elected chairman and Mr Doyle secretary and two
��th January ���� – Front (L-R):- Larry Morrin, Harold Carter, Bobby Cotter, MP Kelly, Andy Mahon. Back (L-R):- Eddie O’Loughlin, Billy Malone, Denis C. Walsh, Unidentified, Eddie Brennan, John Walshe, Sean Costello
weeks later, Andrew Mahon, secretary of the Monasterevin committee, wrote to the Department seeking a licence to establish a creamery. In December ���� Greg Tierney was in a position to advise the IAOS that Monasterevin creamery was going ahead and that a sum of £�,��� had been collected.
Funny Tales Recalled
the same as what we did to them down in Tipperary.” In seconds Seán had emerged from the car, all �’ �” of him and one of the strongest and fittest specimens of humankind. He confronted the tall stranger who was covered by his towering shadow and growled: “What would you do?” The poor man turned deathly pale before beating a hasty retreat. Seán remarked, with a broad smile, that he never found out what they “had done down in Tipperary.”
A story surrounding the canvassing for funds to start the creamery is worth recording. The procedure for canvassing for milk and collecting share capital was that the committee man would bring someone along with him to meet the farmers. Seán Costello recalled doing a canvass. He was driving his VW Beetle, a small car with a very big man, he had Pat Lawler with him on his rounds. One day he called to a Continued on Page � certain farm. The farmer was not at home but his son was there talking to a tall stranger at the farmhouse door. Seán let down the car window and, without getting out of the car, introduced himself. He then told the lad the reason for his visit. “Tell your father I want to collect £�� from him and any more he can afford. We are trying to start up a creamery in Monasterevin.” The tall stranger glanced around at the little car and then said to the lad: “I know ��th January ���� - First post delivery to Monasterevin. Postman Billy O’Neill and Bobby Cotter (Mgr) Andy Mahon what I would do to fellows and Right Eddie O’Loughlin collecting for a creamery –