Sweeneys castlebar agrifuel store under new ownership of archers

A LANDMARK west Mayo firm specialising in the sale of agri-products and fuel is under new ownership having been purchased by Archers of Ballina. However, Tom and Kathleen Sweeney, directors of T.K. Sweeney & Sons, Rehins, Castlebar, will continue in the day to day running of the business for the next number of years.

T.K. Sweeney & Sons has been operating in Rehins since the 1940s when Tom Sweeney, father of Tom, the current director, returned from Britain to set up a farm supplies and fuel enterprise.

The business has prospered and now Sweeney’s is a household name not alone in the Castlebar area but also as far west as Ballycroy, Achill and Louisburgh.

Archers, which specialises in somewhat similar products to Sweeney’s, has been operating successfully from a site at Bunree Road, Ballina, since 1912.

There are currently in the region of nine to 10 staff at Sweeney’s. It is understood there are no plans for any job losses under the new arrangement.

Confirming the takeover when contacted by The Connaught Telegraph, Kathleen Sweeney said they were delighted that Archers were involved in the takeover. “We were always hoping that we could find a reputable company who would come in and grow the business and now that we have done so we are delighted,” she stated.

Over the years, Mr. and Mrs. Sweeney have been helped out by their children, Tracey, Vicky, Tom (Jnr) and Dave, in the running of the business. This involvement, the couple say, has been a factor in the company’s success.

“Our children have been a great asset,” Mrs. Sweeney explained. Dave is still involved in the day to day running of the Rehins operation.