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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 Drawing on previously unpublished documents and interviews, he has produced a compelling narrative that takes readers from the lush fields of South Mayo and Galway to the Finn Valley in Donegal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.

Latest News

Aurivo House
Finisklin,
Sligo, F91 N968
Phone: 071 9186500
Email: [email protected]

Aurivo Agribusiness
Finisklin,
Sligo, F91 N968
Phone: 071 9160883
Email: [email protected]
Web: homeland.ie
Web: nutrias.ie

Aurivo Consumer Foods
Finisklin,
Sligo, F91 N968
Phone: 071 9160883
Email: [email protected]
Web: connachtgold.ie

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon, F45 WK33
Phone: 094 9860114
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
Finisklin,
Sligo.
Phone: 071 9186500
Fax: 071 9185239
Email:

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Aurivo Dairy Ingredients, Lung, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860114
Fax: 094 9860157
Email:

Aurivo Animal Feeds
Unit 7A, The Mill Business Park, Dublin Rd, Kilcolman, Ballaghadereen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Aurivo Animal Feeds
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860234
Fax: 094 9860238
Email:

Homeland, Ballaghaderreen
4 College Ct, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, F45 DR13, Ireland

Address: Homeland, Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon - F45 F684
Phone: 094 9860081
Fax: 094 9860373

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm

Homeland, Ballina
Crossmolina Rd, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Crossmolina Road, Co. Mayo, F26 K288
Phone: 096 73588
Fax: 096 73589

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:45 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland, Castlebar
Glencar, Fortfield, Moneenbradagh, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F23 H283
Phone: 094 9022311
Fax: 094 9022910

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:45 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm

Homeland Plus, Westport
5 Castlebar Rd, Carrowbeg, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Lodge Road, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 XH51
Phone: 098 27535
Fax: 098 27543

Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland, Swinford
2 Fraunhill, Swineford, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F12 WF98
Phone: 094 9251360
Fax: 094 9251360

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland Agri, Achonry
Achonry, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Achonry, TUBBERCURRY CO. SLIGO F56 R275
Phone: 071 9184127

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Thurs & Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Homeland Plus, Deep Water Quay, Sligo
Icos House, Finisklin Rd, Cartron, Sligo, Ireland

Address: Deep Water Quay, Sligo, F91 HR53
Phone: 071 9161879
Fax: 071 9150274

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Athleague
R362, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Address: Co. Roscommon, F42 WY64
Phone: 090 6663322
Fax: 090 6663580

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 6 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Castlerea
Longford House, Longford, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Address: Co. Roscommon, F45 A403
Phone: 094 9620162
Fax: 094 9620978

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Homeland, Rathscanlon
R294, Rathscanlan, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo, F91 EP83
Phone: 071 9185571

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Riverstown
Cuiltylough, Riverstown, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F52 W957
Phone: 071 9165103
Fax: 071 9165334

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Homeland Agri, Ballymote
R293, Keenaghan, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F56 XW26
Phone: 071 9183452
Fax: 071 9183023

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Lunch: 1:30 pm to 2:15 pm

Homeland Agri, Skreen
N59, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F91 RP44
Phone: 071 9166711
Fax: 071 9166796

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:45 pm, Closed: Wed

Homeland, Claremorris
2 Clareville, Clare, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F12 XW26
Phone: 094 9371292
Fax: 094 9371292

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland, Ballinrobe
Abbey View, Abbey Rd, Friarsquarter West, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F31 VK49
Phone: 094 9541134
Fax: 094 9520015

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland Agri, Kinlough
2 Spa Brae, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Address: Co. Leitrim, F91 RH22
Phone: 071 9841413

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Closed Thurs
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Kilbarron
Nagin House, Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Cashelard, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, F94 YK33
Phone: 071 9851296
Fax: 071 9852448

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:15 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm

Homeland Agri, Athlone
Moydrum Rd, Blyry Upper, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland

Address: Moydrum Business Park, Junction 9, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, N37 FY05
Phone: 090 6465652

Opening Hours:
Mon - Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 1:45 pm, no lunch Saturday

Homeland Agri, Gurteen
R293, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Co. Sligo, F56 E956
Phone: 071 9182007
Fax: 071 9182054

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Wed, Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Thurs/Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Killala
Quay Rd, Townplots East, Co. Mayo, Ireland

 

Address: The Quay, Killala, F26 X363
Phone: 096 32044
Fax: 096 32315

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm

Homeland Agri, Boyle
Station Rd, Termon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland

Address: Co. Roscommon, F52 KN28
Phone: 071 9662427

Opening Hours:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Wed/Sat: 9 am to 1 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Homeland, Ballyhaunis
N83, Kilmannin, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Co. Mayo, F35 Y429
Phone: 094 9630166
Fax: 094 9630274

Opening Hours:
Mon to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Easkey
R297, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Address: Castletown, Easkey, Co. Sligo, F26 D681
Phone: 096 49043

Opening Hours:
Mon, Wed, Thurs, Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Tues: Closed, Sat: 9 am to 4:30 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm, open Saturday

Homeland Agri, Kiltoghert
R299, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Address: Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim, N41 V677
Phone: 071 9622113
Fax: 071 9622249

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland, Mohill
1 Hyde St, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, N41 V6T4, Ireland

Address: Co. Leitrim, N41 VP77
Phone: 071 9631194
Fax: 071 9632057

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:45 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland, Letterkenny
Middle Rd, Ballyboe Lisnenan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Middle Road, Ballyraine, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
Phone: 074 9113314
Fax: 074 9124823

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Homeland, Lifford
Letterkenny Rd, Lifford, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Lifford, Co. Donegal, F93 TC97
Phone: 074 9141558
Fax: 074 9141961

Opening Hours:
Mon to Sat: 9 am to 5 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 1:30 pm

Homeland Agri, Creeslough
Sue's Cottage, Rosscad, Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Creeslough, Co. Donegal, F92 YH22
Phone: 074 9138078
Fax: 074 9138079

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Ardara
Corner House, The Diamond, Drumbaran, Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address: Ardara, Co. Donegal, F94 FT59
Phone: 074 9541888
Fax: 074 9537745

Opening Hours:
Tues to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 5 pm. Closed Monday
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Omagh
10 Dromore Rd Retail Park, Omagh BT78 1RE, UK

Address: Dromore Road, Co. Tyrone
Phone: 0044 288224418

Opening Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm, Sunday: Closed
Lunch: 1 pm - 1:45 pm

Homeland, Kerrykeel
R246, Co. Donegal, Ireland

Address:  Kerrykeel, Co. Donegal, F92 F766
Phone: 074 9150179
Fax: 074 9150193

Opening Hours:
Mon to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Lunch: 1 pm - 2 pm

Homeland Agri, Longford
Cartrongeeragh Business Park, Athlone Road, Cartronageeragh, Co. Longford, Ireland

Address: Athlone Road, Longford
Tel: 043 3336286

Opening Hours:
Monday - Friday: 9 am - 5:45 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Homeland Belmullet
Áras Mhaoilchiaraín, Chapel St, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Address: Belmullet, Co. Mayo, F26 Y6P5
Tel: 097 81109

Opening Hours:
Mon to Saturday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm

Homeland Agri Ballinfull
1, Carrigeens, Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, F91 K5D7, Ireland

Address: Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, F91 CR29
Phone: 071 9163154

Opening Hours:
Mon to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Sat: 9 am to 4 pm
Lunch: 1 pm to 2 pm

Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballymote
Laburnum Lodge, Fairgreen Rd, Rathnakelliga, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, Ireland

Manager: Stephen Hannon
Tel: 0818 301 401
Bookings: Pre Booking Monday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm for Thursday Sale

Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballinrobe
Abbey St, Friarsquarter West, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Manager: Tom Mc Guire
Tel: 094 95 41140
Bookings: Pre Booking Friday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm for Wednesday Sale

Aurivo Livestock Mart Balla
N60, Co. Mayo, Ireland

Manager: Michael Murphy
Tel: 0818 301 401
Bookings: Pre Booking Wednesday for Sat Sale 9.30 am – 11.00 am for Bullocks/Heifers
11.00 am – 1.00 pm for all Cows
Pre Booking Thursday for Weanling Sale 9.30am – 1pm

Aurivo Livestock Mart Mohill
1 Cappagh, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland

Manager: Stephen Hannon
Tel: 0818 301 401
Bookings: Pre Booking Tuesday 9.30 am – 1.00 pm for Saturday Sale