
19
Dec, 2018
Aurivo launches new book on the
history of farming in the North West of Ireland
In one of the most comprehensive research projects ever undertaken on farming west of the Shannon, Aurivo has commissioned a newly-published book which charts the history of Aurivo and farming in the West of Ireland.
Aurivo commissioned James Laffey to write Fields of Gold, and the award-winning author delivered a comprehensive 576-page account of Aurivo’s remarkable rise from humble beginnings to its position as one of the largest indigenous businesses in the West of Ireland, with an annual turnover in 2017 of €426 million, export markets in more than 50 countries and a staff of over 700.
James, a native of Foxford in Co Mayo who has been editor of the Western People since 2004, is the author of several award-winning books, including The Road to 51; which won the McNamee Award for Best GAA Publication in 2011 and Powering the West (co-written with Christy Loftus); which was voted Best Local Heritage Book at Listowel Writers’ Week in 2016.
“James Laffey was an inspired choice to author the book. He was brilliant to work with throughout the project and readers of the book will see that he is an absolutely gifted writer who has captured the whole essence of his brief and has brought previously unknown material to light through his meticulous research,” said Jim Kelly, who headed an editorial committee within Aurivo to manage the project.
“It will be a massive read and of huge interest to anyone with an association with the West and North West.”
Aurivo’s roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when co-operative creameries were established the length and breadth of rural Ireland, becoming the principal source of income for farming families along the western seaboard, helping many people to avoid the need to leave Ireland at a time of mass emigration.
In Fields of Gold, James Laffey traces the fascinating evolution of the co-operative movement in the West of Ireland across three centuries. Drawing on previously unpublished documents and interviews, he has produced a compelling narrative that takes readers from the lush fields of South Mayo and Galway to the Finn Valley in Donegal and from the Erris Peninsula to the Leitrim/Cavan border. The book is handsomely illustrated with over 250 pages of photographs.
Fields of Gold is an informative and inspiring reflection on the lives of past generations in the West; harking back to a very different era in rural Ireland when the can-do spirit of the co-operative movement emerged from communities still struggling to arise from the devastating effects of the Great Famine.
“One of my key objectives was to broaden the narrative to include the social history of the time,” James Laffey said. “Fields of Gold is primarily the story of farming in the North West of Ireland since the Land League, but it is also about social, political and economic life in a part of the country that enjoyed something of an agricultural revolution from the late 1800s onwards, having been decimated by the Great Famine a generation earlier.”
Aaron Forde, CEO of Aurivo, said the company was delighted to have led the creation of such an important publication. “The co-operatives were crucial to the farming revolution as they involved partnerships between people from different socio-economic and religious backgrounds,” he said. “In many villages, the co-operative creamery became the first example of indigenous industry and people had tremendous pride in their local co-operative, which remains to this day.”
As with Aurivo itself, Fields of Gold is a remarkable success story and great credit is due to James Laffey and the editorial committee at Aurivo for bringing it to the page.
Fields of Gold is available to purchase in all local bookshops, at Aurivo’s Homeland stores and online at www.homeland.ie at a cost of €30.
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Aurivo House
Finisklin,
Sligo.
Phone: 071 9186500
Fax: 071 9185239
Email: [email protected]
Aurivo Animal Feeds
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860234
Fax: 094 9860238
Email: [email protected]
Aurivo Consumer Foods
Finisklin,
Sligo.
Phone: 071 9160883
Email: [email protected]
Web: connachtgoldfoods.ie
Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860114
Fax: 094 9860157
Email: [email protected]
Aurivo House
Finisklin, Sligo.
Phone: 071 9186500 | Fax: 071 9185239
Email: [email protected]
Title | Address | Description |
---|---|---|
Aurivo House | Finisklin Business Park, Finisklin, Sligo, Ireland | Aurivo House |
Aurivo Dairy Ingredients | Aurivo Dairy Ingredients, Lung, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland | Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
|
Aurivo Animal Feeds | Unit 7A, The Mill Business Park, Dublin Rd, Kilcolman, Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland | Aurivo Animal Feeds |
Homeland, Ballaghaderreen | 4 College Ct, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, F45 DR13, Ireland | Contact Name: Francis McDonagh Farm Commercial Specialist: Gary Keane Opening Hours: Monday - Friday - 9am-5.30pm |
Homeland, Ballina | Crossmolina Rd, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Contact Name: Donal Tuohy Address: Crossmolina Rd, Ballina, Co Mayo. Farm Commercial Specialist: Gary Keane Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Castlebar | Glencar, Fortfield, Moneenbradagh, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Manager: Larry Hughes Farm Commercial Specialist: David Whelan Opening Hours: |
Homeland Plus, Westport | 5 Castlebar Rd, Carrowbeg, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Contact Name: Gerard Coyne Farm Commercial Specialist: David Whelan Opening Hours: Monday - Friday - 9am-5.30pm |
Homeland, Swinford | 2 Fraunhill, Swineford, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Contact Name: Darragh Halligan Farm Commercial Specialist: Gary Keane Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Achonry | Achonry, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Niall Gallagher Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Plus, Deep Water Quay, Sligo | Icos House, Finisklin Rd, Cartron, Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Andrew Hodgson Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm |
Homeland Agri, Athleague | R362, Co. Roscommon, Ireland | Contact Name: Tony White Farm Commercial Specialist: James Kelly Farm Commercial Specialist: Mark Whelan Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Castlerea | Longford House, Longford, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland | Manager: John Ruane Farm Commercial Specialist: Colm Duffy Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Rathscanlon | R294, Rathscanlan, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Francis Gallagher Farm Commercial Specialist: James Fitzmaurice Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Riverstown | Cuiltylough, Riverstown, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: David Faughnan Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Ballymote | R293, Keenaghan, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Anita McNicholas Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Skreen | N59, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Cathal Kelly Farm Commercial Specialist: James Fitzmaurice Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Claremorris | 2 Clareville, Clare, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Contact Name: Shane Kivlehan Farm Commercial Specialist: David Whelan Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Ballinrobe | Abbey View, Abbey Rd, Friarsquarter West, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Contact Name: Michael Canny Farm Commercial Specialist: David Whelan Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Kinlough | 2 Spa Brae, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, Ireland | Contact Name: Ernan McGarrigle Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Kilbarron | Nagin House, Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland | Contact Name: Hugh McGarrigle Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Athlone | Moydrum Rd, Blyry Upper, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland | Contact Name: Stephen Browne Farm Commercial Specialist: James Kelly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Gurteen | R293, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Kevin Kane Farm Commercial Specialist: Colm Duffy Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Killala | Quay Rd, Townplots East, Co. Mayo, Ireland |
Contact Name: Darragh McGarry Farm Commercial Specialist: Gary Keane Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Boyle | Station Rd, Termon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland | Contact Name: Paul Fahy Farm Commercial Specialist: Colm Duffy Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Ballyhaunis | N83, Kilmannin, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Contact Name: Joe Slattery Farm Commercial Specialist: Mark Whelan Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Easkey | R297, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Contact Name: Eamon Killeen Farm Commercial Specialist: James Fitzmaurice Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Kiltoghert | R299, Co. Leitrim, Ireland | Contact Name: Ursula Crossan Farm Commercial Specialist: Colm Duffy Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Mohill | 1 Hyde St, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, N41 V6T4, Ireland | Contact Name: Fiona Heslin Farm Commercial Specialist: Colm Duffy Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Letterkenny | Middle Rd, Ballyboe Lisnenan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland | Contact Name: Chris Lyons Farm Commercial Specialist: Johnathan Smyth Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Lifford | Letterkenny Rd, Lifford, Co. Donegal, Ireland | Contact Name: Joe Carlin Farm Commercial Specialist: Johnathan Smyth Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Creeslough | Sue's Cottage, Rosscad, Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland | Contact Name: Dominick Gallagher Farm Commercial Specialist: Johnathan Smyth Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Ardara | Corner House, The Diamond, Drumbaran, Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland | Contact Name: Laurence Breslin Farm Commercial Specialist: Emer Reilly Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Omagh | 10 Dromore Rd Retail Park, Omagh BT78 1RE, UK | Manager: Alister Erskine Farm Commercial Specialist: Johnathan Smyth Opening Hours: |
Homeland, Kerrykeel | R246, Co. Donegal, Ireland | Contact Name: Derek Stewart Farm Commercial Specialist: Johnathan Smyth Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri, Longford | Cartrongeeragh Business Park, Athlone Road, Cartronageeragh, Co. Longford, Ireland | Contact: Padraig Heany Farm Commercial Specialist: Colm Duffy Opening Hours: |
Homeland Belmullet | Áras Mhaoilchiaraín, Chapel St, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Manager: Stephen Killeen Opening Hours: |
Homeland Agri Ballinfull | 1, Carrigeens, Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, F91 K5D7, Ireland | Contact Name: David Currid Opening Hours: |
Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballymote | Laburnum Lodge, Fairgreen Rd, Rathnakelliga, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, Ireland | Manager: Stephen Hannon |
Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballinrobe | Abbey St, Friarsquarter West, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Manager: Tom Mc Guire |
Aurivo Livestock Mart Balla | N60, Co. Mayo, Ireland | Manager: Michael Murphy |
Aurivo Livestock Mart Mohill | 1 Cappagh, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland | Manager: Stephen Hannon |