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With a large rural hinterland, Newry has been important market town since medieval times. This is illustrated by the reference to a market in Newry in the 16th century and the variety of markets for specific produce in the 19th century. With industrialisation, and growing urban populations to feed, agricultural societies were formed to improve the system of farming and to increase awareness of new techniques, machinery and livestock.
In Ireland, the Dublin Society was established in 1731. It introduced trials of new ploughs and paid premiums paid to encourage cultivation of wheat, barley and turnips and the growing of fruit trees. In 1820, King George IV became the patron, and it was renamed the Royal Dublin Society.
Other national organizations were also formed including the Improvement Society, established in 1841. Later incorporated as the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland, one of its aims was to organise an annual show. Along with the Royal Dublin Society, into which it was absorbed in 1887, it assisted local farming societies until the establishment of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in 1899.
Locally, Donaghmore Farming Society was in existence by 1835 with an annual cattle show and ploughing match held under the auspices of the Society. Newry Union Farming Society was also in formed in the 19th century and Newry Agricultural society held its first Newry show in 1869.
Further improvements in farming included the formation of co-operative societies. From small beginnings in the 1890s, these societies spread extensively throughout Ireland. By 1914 there were over 800 of them, with the largest group being dairy or creamery societies, while others ran markets for the sale of livestock.
Loughbrickland Creamery was established around 1901 due to the efforts of Father Greenan and the Reverend Lusk, and was managed by Loughbrickland Co-operative Agricultural and Dairy Society’s (Ltd.) A contemporary account stated that the “…creamery extends its operations for a radius of ten miles around. … The creamery supplies the carts—long, low, commodious vehicles, specially constructed, and smartly painted in blue and red … Every member of the society or other contributor of milk puts out his tall cans, and the carts pick them up in larger and larger numbers as they approach the centre of operations.”
Owned by shareholder farmers, co-operative societies continue to be important for the farming community and some are now large businesses processing food, selling equipment and livestock feed.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Please visit our website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/museums/newry-and-mourne-museum
by Noreen Cunningham and Ken Abraham
