Dairygold marked the centenary of the foundation of the Mitchelstown Co-Operative Agricultural Society Limited this week.

Secretary general of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Brendan Gleeson was in attendance to commemorate the event.

In the last 10 years, Dairygold's milk pool has grown by over 60%, with processing investments in Mitchelstown, Mallow and Mogeely to process the extra volume.

In addition, Dairygold suppliers have made significant on-farm investments to cater for the extra cows.

Memorabilia

Over 300 farmers, shareholders, staff and former leaders of the co-operative were in attendance.

To mark the occasion, Dairygold established a small in-house collection of memorabilia displaying a variety of old photographs and documents from the Mitchelstown Co-Op era.

In addition, a commemorative book - Mitchelstown Co-Operative Agricultural Society Ltd A History 1919-1990 - written by Limerick historian John Hough was launched.

A centenary celebration is a significant milestone for any business

Speaking at the event, Brendan Gleeson said: “A centenary celebration is a significant milestone for any business, but to be celebrating a 100th anniversary as a successful, profitable and growing business is an achievement worth noting.

Group company secretary Ann Fogarty; Secretary General DAFM Brendan Gleeson and chief executive Jim Woulfe. \ O'Gorman Photography

"Dairygold Co-Op and its predecessor Mitchelstown Co-Op, whose anniversary we celebrate, can lay claim to that distinction.

"The co-operative dairy industry has been a leading light in supporting rural farming life and employment across the Munster region over the generations. I have no doubt that we will continue to witness the ongoing success into the next 100 years.”

Significant occasion

Speaking about the event, Dairygold chair John O’Gorman said: “This is a very significant occasion for the society and particularly to the people of Mitchelstown and its hinterlands.

"We are very pleased to be able to celebrate it today with those [who] have contributed to Dairygold’s success down through the years. It’s important to mark how far the co-operative has come in the past 100 years and as we look to the future for the society, we reflect on the triumphs and people that have gotten us to this point.”

Dairygold chief executive Jim Woulfe also commented: “Our dairy and agri industry has changed dramatically in the past 100 years and even more so in recent years.

"We have always embraced and strived to capitalise on those changes for the betterment of our members and for the advancement of the society.

"I believe with the prudent investments we’ve made in research, innovation and best-in-class dairy facilities, we will see this co-operative go from strength to strength as it enters its next century.”

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