New book on history of farming in the west
AURIVO has commissioned a new book, Fields of Gold, on the history of farming in the region. It is on sale at a cost of €30 in all local bookshops and Aurivo’s Homeland stores now.
Written by award-winning author James Laffey, Fields of Gold is one of the most comprehensive studies ever undertaken of farming west of the Shannon. It offers a fascinating insight into life in the region throughout the 20th century, chronicling the Aurivo story from those humble beginnings in the late 1800s to the establishment of North Connacht Farmers (NCF) in the early 1970s, the merger with Kiltoghert Co-op in Co. Leitrim in 2000, and the acquisition of Donegal Creameries in 2012.
Its publication is the culmination of several years of extensive research by the author and a committee of retired Aurivo employees, chaired by Jim Kelly and comprising Peadar Kivlehan, Michael Morley and Pat McHugh.
In researching Fields of Gold, James was granted unprecedented access to the extensive files in the National Archives and much of the material contained in the 576-page hardback is based on previously unpublished documents and never-before-seen photographs.
The involvement of Aurivo has ensured that Fields of Gold is focused heavily on the crucial role of the co-operative movement in the evolution of a modern farming industry in Connaught and Co. Donegal.
With over 700 staff, export markets in more than 50 countries and an annual turnover of €426 million in 2017, Aurivo is one of the largest indigenous businesses in the north west of Ireland today. However, its roots can be traced to numerous small co-operative creameries established in villages and towns the length and breadth of the western counties in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Story of farming
Commenting on the book, author James Laffey said: "One of my key objectives was to broaden the narrative to include the social history of the time. 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, added: "The co-operatives were crucial to the farming revolution as they involved partnerships between people from different socio-economic and religious backgrounds. 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.
"We are delighted to have led the creation of this important publication. James has produced an engaging 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."
A special evening to celebrate the publication of Fields of Gold will take place at the Radisson Blu Spa & Hotel, Sligo, on Thursday, December 6, with RTÉ’s northern editor, Sligo native Tommie Gorman, as host.