History

Public meetings sought support for the construction of a Co-operative creamery.

A Co-operative creamery opened at Tulnaree, Carndonagh.

Carndonagh creamery was upgraded to auxiliary status, making it a training centre for creamery managers.

The creamery closed and never reopened. The War of Independence, along with stiff competition from European butter production, contributed to its closure.

At the suggestion of Donal Noone (an apprentice from Dein, Culdaff), an agricultural winter class for the Culdaff area was confirmed by Manus Harkin (local County Councillor and a member of the Donegal County Community of Agriculture)

Local farmers met with a representative from the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society to further explore the idea of a Co-Op Society. However, a lack of funding ended the dream at that time.

The Carndonagh branch of the National Farmers’ Association (NFA) was founded. Over the next few years, eight branches in total were founded in Inishowen.

The first sale of the newly-founded Inishowen Agricultural Mart took place.

500 tons of slag (fertiliser) was ordered from Antwerp by a group of Inishowen farmers. It was delivered to the stone pier at Carrickarory, Moville and distributed around the peninsula. After this success, a second boatload was ordered and delivered.

Inishowen Farmers’ Co-Op was registered as a society. Joe McAuley was elected as the first chairman. Donal Noone was appointed the first General Manager of the Co-Op. Charlie Mooney was the first employee. The first customers arrived at the premises at the Old Lough Swilley Railway Station in Carndonagh.

The Co-Op moved to new, larger premises on the site of the original 1902 creamery. It began to stock a wider range of products, starting with animal medicines.

The Co-Op became involved in the dairy industry, starting to collect milk for Sallybrook Creamery, Mannorcunningham.

The Co-Op began an egg producer group to supply a Dublin company with free-range eggs.

In conjunction with Clonleigh Co-Op inishleigh mill was established to produce animal feed using quality ingredients for our farm community across Donegal. The mill continues to grow and has established itself producing quality products from its premises at Rooskey Newtowncunningham.

After much groundwork by the Co-Op, the Meenavoghey Pig Fattening Unit opened in Clonmany.

The Co-Op brought 580 heifer calves from Leckpatrick Creamery to Inishowen to help improve stock in the area.

Inishowen Farmers’ Cooperative Society changed its name to Inishowen Cooperative Society Ltd.

Inishowen Co-Op took over Moville Co-Op (which was well established from 1919).

Carl Fullerton was appointed as General Manager, taking over from Donal Noone.

The Buncrana branch started trading after the amalgamation of Inishowen Co-Op and Buncrana Co-Op (which had been operating since 1919).

The pig fattening unit (now also a sow unit) was sold to Marshall McCandless of Straths, Carndonagh after closing in previous years.

The Co-Op help a dinner dance to celebrate its 25th anniversary.

Paddy Gallen was appointed as General Manager, taking over from Carl Fullerton.
Mid 1990s The Co-Op became the first company in Inishowen to have a modern computerised point-of-sale system.

Inishowen Co-Op became a member of the Topline Buying Group. This helped to source new product lines and make major savings (for customers as well as the Co-Op).

The Moville branch moved to a new facility, with a shop, yard and stores.

A new 7,500 square foot store and extra yard space were added to the Buncrana premises.

A new store opened in Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo, under the name Ben’s Topline Hardware. Drumcliffe Co-Op (originally opened in 1895) had closed earlier in the year. They asked Inishowen Co-Op to lease the premises.

A new flagship Carndonagh store opened at Tulnaree.

The Co-Op bought new premises in Limavady, known as Limavady Agri & Build Supplies (LABS).

Diesel pumps opened at the Carndonagh Store.

Donal Noone, the founder of Inishowen Co-Op, passed away.

Donal Breen was appointed as General Manager, taking over from Paddy Gallen.

Inishowen Co-Op hosted its first ever ladies night.

When the Covid-19 pandemic arrived, the Co-Op stayed open as an essential business. It adapted to many new ways of working and trading.

Gareth Whitmore was appointed as General Manager, taking over from Donal Breen.

The Co-Op’s longest-serving employee, Gerard Davenport, retired after 50 years of service. In the same year, the manager of the Carndonagh branch, Danny Friel, retired after 48 years of service.

Inishowen Co-Op purchased a fuel station in Drung, Redcastle.

All of the Co-Op stores were refurbished, getting a fresh start after the height of the pandemic.

The Co-Op celebrated its 60th anniversary of supporting the agricultural community on the Inishowen Peninsula.

Launch of an e-commerce online store www.Inishowencoop.com