Co-Operating for a Better Ireland

Press Release / 17 September 2012
Co-Operating for a Better Ireland
An international conference took place in Churchtown last Saturday (15 September 2012) to
recognise the United Nations designated International Year of the Co-Operative with major
speakers from the US, UK and Ireland. Local Dairygold representative John Hedigan welcomes
the large crowd and invited local TD Áine Collins to open the Conference. Professor Jim
Kennelly from Saratoga, New York State was the first speaker and his address was entitled
“Practical Idealists: The Irish Co-Operative Pioneers”. He was followed by Peter Couchman,
Chief Executive of the Plunkett Foundation in the UK who explained that he had attended
major events all over the world to recognise the International Year and that he was most
impressed that a small community in Churchtown were recognising the event. Peter also said
he was delighted to visit the home town of R A Anderson who was one of the key early figures
in the foundation of the co-operative movement.
Jim Woulfe, Chief Executive of Dairygold also addressed the Conference and explained
Dairygold’s plans to invest €120 million to add another 18.5 million litres weekly capacity up to
2019. “This will comprise of an upgrade of the existing dryer in Mitchelstown and the
development of two 7.5 tonne/hour dryers in Mallow, one in 2015 and one in 2019 or earlier if
required”, he explained.
Seamus O’Donohue, Chief Executive of ICOS spoke next and in a wide ranging address he made
the case for an updating of Co-Op legislation which has been left behind somewhat by
advances in company legislation. Carmel Fox, Chief executive then spoke about the role of
social enterprise. Gerry Murphy gave a presentation entitled the “The Renewal of Churchtown
village 1997 - 2012”. This was followed by historian Denis J Hickey’s address entitled “The life
and times of R A Anderson”. Following Denis’s presentation a copy of The Annals of
Churchtown was presented to Linda Anderson, Twin Butte, Alberta, Canada and great great
grandniece of R A Anderson.
The Conference was attended by a wide range of people including Rosaleen O’Connell
(Churchtown and Bregogue) whose grandfather, William O’Connor, was a legendary early
manager of Churchtown Creamery. Betty Coughlan, Annagh, Churchtown and her sister-in-law

Mairead Nagle also attended. Mairead’s late husband Billy Nagle was a major figure in ICOS
where he served as President. Billy was also President of COGECA (European farming and
fishing co-operative organisation) and was the recipient of the 2002 ICOS Plunkett Award for
Co-operative Endeavour. Phil O' Leary, Cork Federation President of the ICA, Sean O’Sullivan
from Cork Marts, Dónal Ó Cáinte from Liscarroll also attended the Conference as did local
clergy Fr Stephen O’Mahony and Fr Tom McDermott.
Churchtown Historical & Heritage Society’s co-founder Noel Linehan closed the Conference by
thanking a wide range of people. Noel signalled out Buttevant ICA who provided the
refreshments and a fine display of their handiwork. He also acknowledged the role of Muintir
na Tire, Cork Marts, the IFA, Churchtown GAA, Irish Farm Relief Service, ICMSA and Community
Alert. Noel finally thanked all the speakers for travelling to Churchtown and audience for their
attention. Refreshments were then provided courtesy of Buttevant ICA.
Ends
FOR PHOTOGRAPHS
Michael Johnson ispartacus@eircom.net
Michael McGrath +353 (0)87 254 5161 | mmfortlands@gmail.com
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Organiser Noel Linehan, Churchtown Historical & Heritage Society
Phone: +353 (0)22 48249
Web: www.churchtown.net
Email: trust@churchtown.net