Aurivo launches new book on the history of farming in the North West of Ireland

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 Drawing on previously unpublished documents and interviews, he has produced a compelling narrative that takes readers from the lush fields of South Mayo and Galway to the Finn Valley in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

Aurivo House
Finisklin,
Sligo.
Phone: 071 9186500
Fax: 071 9185239
Email: info@aurivo.ie

Aurivo Animal Feeds
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860234
Fax: 094 9860238
Email: nutrias@aurivo.ie

Aurivo Consumer Foods
Finisklin,
Sligo.
Phone: 071 9160883
Email: consumerfoods@aurivo.ie
Web: connachtgoldfoods.ie

Aurivo Dairy Ingredients
Ballaghaderreen,
Co. Roscommon
Phone: 094 9860114
Fax: 094 9860157
Email: dairyingredients@aurivo.ie

Aurivo House
Finisklin, Sligo.
Phone: 071 9186500 | Fax: 071 9185239
Email: info@aurivo.ie

Title	Address	Description
Aurivo House	Finisklin Business Park, Finisklin, Sligo, Ireland	Aurivo House Finisklin, Sligo. Phone: 071 9186500 Fax: 071 9185239 Email: info@aurivo.ie
Aurivo Dairy Ingredients	Aurivo Dairy Ingredients, Lung, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, Ireland	Aurivo Dairy Ingredients Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon Phone: 094 9860114 Fax: 094 9860157 Email:dairyingredients@aurivo.ie
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: nutrias@aurivo.ie
Homeland, Ballaghaderreen	4 College Ct, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon, F45 DR13, Ireland	Contact Name: Francis McDonagh Address: Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon Phone: 094 9860081 Fax: 094 9860373 Email: Francis.McDonagh@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 4pm Open through lunch
Homeland, Ballina	Crossmolina Rd, Ballina, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Martin Healy Address: Crossmolina Rd, Ballina, Co Mayo. Phone: 096 73588 Fax: 096 73589 Email: martin.healy@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.45pm Sat: 9am – 5pm Open through lunch
Homeland, Castlebar	Glencar, Fortfield, Moneenbradagh, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Address: Springfield, Castlebar, Co. Mayo Phone: 094 9022311 Fax: 094 9022910 Email: pprendergast@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.45pm Sat: 9am – 4.30pm Open through lunch
Homeland Plus, Westport	5 Castlebar Rd, Carrowbeg, Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Gerard Coyne Address: Lodge Rd, Westport, Co. Mayo Phone: 098 27535 Fax: 098 27543 Email: gerard.coyne@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9:00am – 5.30pm Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12.30pm – 5.00pm
Homeland, Swinford	2 Fraunhill, Swineford, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Alan Gibbons Address: Swinford, Co Mayo. Phone: 094 9251360 Fax: 094 9251360 Email: alan.gibbons@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9-5pm
Homeland Agri, Achonry	Achonry, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Darragh Halligan Address: Achonry, Tubbercurry, Co.Sligo Phone: 071 9184127 Email: darragh.halligan@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Thurs, Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed for Lunch from 1.30pm to 2.15pm
Homeland Plus, Deep Water Quay, Sligo	Icos House, Finisklin Rd, Cartron, Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Lisa Doocey Address: Deep Water Quay, Sligo Phone: 071 9161879 Fax: 071 9150274 Email: lisa.doocey@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat – 9am – 5.30pm Sundays & Bank Holidays: 12pm – 5pm Open through lunch
Homeland Agri, Athleague	R362, Co. Roscommon, Ireland	Contact Name: Tony White Address: Athleague, Co Roscommon. Phone: 090 6663322 Fax: 090 6663580 Email: twhite@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm Sat: 9am – 4pm Closed for lunch 1pm – 2pm
Homeland Agri, Castlerea	Longford House, Longford, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, Ireland	Contact Name: John Ruane Address: Castlerea, Co Roscommon. Phone: 094 9620162 Fax: 094 9620978 Email: jruane@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 4pm Closed for Lunch 1pm – 2pm
Homeland, Rathscanlon	R294, Rathscanlan, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Francis Gallagher Address: Ballina Rd., Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo Phone: 071 9185571 Email: Francis.gallagher@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 4.30pm Open through lunch
Homeland Agri, Riverstown	Unnamed Road, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: David Faughnan Address: Riverstown, Co. Sligo Phone: 071 9165103 Fax: 071 9165334 Email: david.faughnan@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 1.00pm Closed for lunch 1.30pm – 2.15pm
Homeland Agri, Ballymote	R293, Keenaghan, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Anita McNicholas Address: Ballymote, Co. Sligo Phone: 071 9183452 Fax: 071 9183023 Email: anita.mcnicholas@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Tues – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Mon, Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed for lunch 1.30pm – 2.30pm
Homeland Agri, Skreen	N59, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Cathal Kelly Address: Skreen, Co. Sligo Phone: 071 9166711 Fax: 071 9166796 Email: ckelly@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9.30am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 4.45pm. Closed Wed. Closed for Lunch 1pm to 1.45pm
Homeland, Claremorris	2 Clareville, Clare, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Larry Hughes Address: Claremorris, Co. Mayo Phone: 094 9362220 / 094 9371292 Fax: 094 9371292 Email: lhughes@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 5pm Open through lunch
Homeland, Ballinrobe	Abbey View, Abbey Rd, Friarsquarter West, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Michael Canny Address: Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo Phone: 094 9541134 Fax: 094 9520015 Email: michael.canny@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 5pm Open through lunch
Homeland Agri, Kinlough	2 Spa Brae, Kinlough, Co. Leitrim, Ireland	Contact Name: Ernan McGarrigle Address: Kinlough, Co. Leitrim Phone: 071 9841413 Fax: Not Available at Present Email: emcgarrigle@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat: 9am – 5.30pm Closed Thurs Closed through lunch 1pm – 2pm
Homeland Agri, Kilbarron	Nagin House, Creevy, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ireland	Contact Name: Hugh McGarrigle Address: Cashelard, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal Phone: 071 9851296 Fax: 071 9852448 Email: hmcgarrigle@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.15pm Sat: 9am – 4pm. Closed for Lunch 1.15pm to 1.45pm
Homeland Agri, Athlone	Moydrum Rd, Blyry Upper, Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland	Contact Name: Jack Moran Address: Moydrum Business Park, Cavan Exit, Main Dublin Road, Athlone. Phone: 090 6465652 Email: jmoran@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri 9am – 5.30pm Closed for lunch 1pm – 1.45pm Closed Wednesday Sat 9am – 4.30pm (Open through lunch)
Homeland Agri, Gurteen	R293, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Kevin Kane Address: Gurteen, Co Sligo. Phone: 071 9182007 Fax: 071 9182054 Email: kkane@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Thurs & Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed for lunch 1pm – 2pm
Homeland Agri, Killala	Quay Rd, Townplots East, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Donal Tuohy Address: The Quay, Killala, Co Mayo. Phone: 096 32044 Fax: 096 32315 Email: Donal.tuohy@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 9am – 5pm Tues & Sat: 9am – 1pm Open through lunch
Homeland Agri, Boyle	Station Rd, Termon, Co. Roscommon, Ireland	Contact Name: Paul Fahy Address: Boyle, Co Roscommon. Phone: 071 9662427 Email: paul.fahy@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Wed, Sat: 9am – 1pm Closed for lunch 1pm – 1.45pm
Homeland, Ballyhaunis	N83, Kilmannin, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact Name: Joe Slattery Address: Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo Phone: 094 9630166 Fax: 094 9630274 Email: jslattery@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5.30pm Open through lunch
Homeland Agri, Easkey	R297, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Contact Name: Shane Kivlehan Address: Castletown, Easkey, Co Sligo. Phone: 096 49043 Email: Shane.Kivlehan@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Closed for lunch: 1-2pm Closed Tuesday. Sat 9am – 4.30pm Closed for lunch 1-1.30pm
Homeland Agri, Kiltoghert	R299, Co. Leitrim, Ireland	Contact Name: Ursula Crossan Address: Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim. Phone: 071 9622113 Fax: 071 9622249 Email: Ursula.crossan@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 4pm Closed for Lunch 1pm – 2pm
Homeland, Mohill	1 Hyde St, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, N41 V6T4, Ireland	Contact Name: Fiona Heslin Address: Mohill, Co Leitrim. Phone: 071 9631194 Fax: 071 9632057 Email: fheslin@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.45pm Sat: 9am – 5.30pm Open through lunch
Homeland, Letterkenny	Middle Rd, Ballyboe Lisnenan, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, Ireland	Contact Name: Chris Lyons Address: Ballyraine, Letterkenny Phone: 074 9113314 Fax: 074 9124823 Email: Chris.Lyons@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9am – 2pm
Homeland, Lifford	Letterkenny Rd, Lifford, Co. Donegal, Ireland	Contact Name: Joe Carlin Address: Lifford Phone: 074 9141558 Fax: 074 9141961 Email: joe.carlin@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5pm : Closed for Lunch 1pm to 1.30pm
Homeland Agri, Creeslough	Sue's Cottage, Rosscad, Creeslough, Co. Donegal, Ireland	Contact Name: Dominick Gallagher Address: Creeslough Phone: 074 9138078 Fax: 074 9138079 Email: dominick.gallagher@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5.30pm Closed for Lunch 1pm – 2 pm
Homeland Agri, Ardara	Corner House, The Diamond, Drumbaran, Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland	Contact Name: Laurence Breslin Address: Ardara Phone: 074 9541888 Fax: 074 9537745 Email: laurence.breslin@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Tues – Fri: 9am – 5.30pm Sat: 9-5PM Closed for Lunch 1pm – 2pm
Homeland Agri, Omagh	10 Dromore Rd Retail Park, Omagh BT78 1RE, UK	Contact Name: Ruairi Mc Ateer Address: Dromore Rd Retail Park, Omagh Phone: 028 82 244184 Fax: 028 82 240909 Email: Ruairi.McAteer@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5.30pm
Homeland, Kerrykeel	R246, Co. Donegal, Ireland	Contact Name: Derek Stewart Address: Kerrykeel Phone: 074 9150179 Fax: 074 9150193 Email: derek.stewart@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 9am – 5.30pm Closed for Lunch 1pm – 2 pm
Homeland Agri, Longford	Cartrongeeragh Business Park, Athlone Road, Cartronageeragh, Co. Longford, Ireland	Contact: Padraig Heany Address: ATHLONE ROAD, LONGFORD Tel: 043 3336286 Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9-6pm (Lunch 1.15-2pm) Saturday – 9-4.30pm (Lunch 1.15-2pm)
Homeland Belmullet	Áras Mhaoilchiaraín, Chapel St, Belmullet, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Contact: stephen.killeen@aurivo.ie Address: Chapel Street, Belmullet, Co. Mayo Tel: 097 81109 Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 9- 5:30pm SAT – 9 – 4pm Open through lunch
Homeland Agri Ballinfull	1, Carrigeens, Ballinfull, Co. Sligo, F91 K5D7, Ireland	Contact Name: David Currid Address: Ballinfull, Co. Sligo Phone: 071 9163154 Email: david.currid@aurivo.ie Opening Hours: Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 5.30pm Sat: 9-4PM Closed for lunch: 1-2PM
Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballymote	Laburnum Lodge, Fairgreen Rd, Rathnakelliga, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, Ireland	Ballymote, Co Sligo. Phone: 071 9183364 Fax: 071 9183454
Aurivo Livestock Mart Ballinrobe	Abbey St, Friarsquarter West, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Ballinrobe, Co Mayo. Phone: 094 9541140 Fax: 094 9541270
Aurivo Livestock Mart Balla	N60, Co. Mayo, Ireland	Balla, Co Mayo. Phone: 094 9365068 Fax: 094 9365836
Aurivo Livestock Mart Mohill	1 Cappagh, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, Ireland	Mohill, Co Leitrim. Phone: 071 9631282 Fax: 071 9631145

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