Our History
Who founded Clare Co-Operative Marts and how old is it? The history of Clare is rich and colourful, with many traditions continuing to this day. Clare (Co-Operative) Marts Limited was the brainchild of 8 men who came together in 1957 with a view to the establishment of a Co-Op Mart in Ennis. Through hard work and commitment, their vision was realised when on the 16th January 1959, Clare Co-Operative Marts proudly held its opening sale at Clonroadmore Ennis, just across from the railway station.
Our Founders
Clare Marts was founded by 8 local men:
- Colonel Bindon F Blood, Ballykilty, Quin (Chairperson)
- Mr Dan Fitzpatrick, Sandfield, Ennis
Mr James Cahir, Buncraggy, Tiermaclance, Ennis - Mr Patrick Lynch, Magowna, Fountain, Ennis
- Mr Thomas Malone, Beechpark, Ennis
- Mr Tom Murphy, Dangan, Ballynacally, Ennis
- Mr Sean Casey, Bindon Street, Ennis
- Mr John Dolan, Roslevan, Ennis (Secretary)
North Clare Co-Op (Ennistymon) commenced trading on 3rd November 1960 and in February 1961 West Clare Co-Op (Kilrush) was established. East Clare Co-Op (Scariff) was opened in 1964 and 28th August 1979 saw the launch of Kilfenora Mart.
Our Timeline
1965 | Ennis Mart and Ennistymon Mart joined forces. |
1968 | Clare Marts opened a Pasteurising Plant (known as Clare Dairies), which was subsequently sold in 1973. |
1970 | Scariff Mart joined Clare Marts Limited. |
1974 | Land at Quin Road (current Mart site) was purchased. |
1978 | Kilrush Mart Joined Clare Marts Limited. |
1984 | Kilmihil Mart was purchased and subsequently sold in 2001. |
1988 | Clare Marts opened their new premises at Quin Road, Ennis and sold their site at Clonroadmore Ennis that had served Clare Farmers since 1959. |
1999 | Clare Marts commenced their diversification programme with the establishment of an NCT centre and subsequently followed with the construction of warehouse units for letting. |
2006 | Kilfenora Mart joined Clare Marts Limited. |
2014 | Ennistymon Mart Sold. |
2020 | Online Sales commence in Ennis Mart. |
| 1959 to 1965 | Colonel Bindon F Blood |
| 1966 to 1970 | Mr Patrick Lynch |
| 1971 to 1990 | Mr Tom Cahill |
| 1990 to 2000 | Mr John Blake |
| 2000 to 2005 | Mr Tom Brooks |
| Present Chairperson | Mr Liam Williams |
Colonel Bindon F Blood (Chairperson) – Mr Dan Fitzpatrick – Mr Bernard H Maurer – Mr Joe Moloney – Mr Nicholas Howley – Mr James McInerney – Dr Frank Counihan – Mr Eric Ranalow, – Mr Paddy Corry – Mr Sean Casey – Mr Tom Cahill – Mr J C Killeen – Mr John Dolan – Mr James Casey – Mr Thomas Neylon – Mr Paddy Lynch – Mr Tom Harvey – Mr Dan Mungovan – Mr Michael Lynch – Mr Tom Murphy – Mr Michael Moran – Mr John O’Dea – Mr Joe Moran – Mr Joe Fogarty – Mr James Cahir – Very Rev Canon Vaughan P P – Very Rev T Brady P P.
Liam Williams (Chairperson) | Kilrush |
Michael Culligan | Kilrush |
Pat Hannon (Vice Chairperson) | Ennis |
Tom Brooks | Ennis |
Tom Whelan | Kilrush |
Martin Daly | Ennis |
Rody Costelloe | Scariff |
Pat Nagle | Ennis |
John W Blake | Scariff |
James Cahir | Ennis |
Michael Shalloo | Scariff |
Michael Lynch | Ennis |
Pat Burke | Scariff |
MJ O’Brien | Ennistymon |
Thomas Doherty | Kilfenora |
Conor O’Brien | Ennistymon |
PJ Sammon | Kilfenora |
Managers Through the Years
1959 to 1963 | Mr Michael Howard |
1963 to 1969 | Mr Kevin Leahy |
1969 to 2004 | Mr Donal Ryan |
Present Manager | Mr Martin McNamara |
Items of Interest
The first animal sold at Clare Co-Operative Marts Ltd Ennis in January 1959 was the property of the late Paddy Lynch, (Chairperson of Clare Co-Operative Marts Ltd 1966 to 1970). The animal was purchased by the late Vincent Neylon, Butcher, Parnell Street, Ennis.
The last lot sold at the old mart in 1988 was the property of Jack Devanny, Inch which was purchased by Michael Lynch, Magowna – current member of the Board of Clare Co-Operative Marts Ltd and son of the late Paddy Lynch. The auctioneer on the occasion was Pat Neylon – son of the late Vincent Neylon who purchased the first lot in 1959.
The first lot sold at the Quin Road site on 18th October 1988 was the property of Tom O’Halloran, Barefield and was bought by Colm Farrell, Peterswell. The auctioneer was Matthew McMahon.
Current board member James Cahir is the son of the late James Cahir who is one of the original founder members.
