Macroom farmers set up first co-op for sharing machinery

Colm Kellleher, Patrick McSweeney, Brendan Hinchion, and John Wood, the four founding farmers at the launch of Comharcummann Gleann na Laoi, Ireland’s first farming machinery co-op, are pictured with their first purchase in Cill na Martra, Co Cork. Picture: Denis Boyle. 

Members of the Kilnamartyra dairy discussion group near Macroom in West Cork have formed Ireland’s first co-operative for sharing machinery between farmers.

Inspiration for the Comharcumann Gleann an Laoi idea came from a discussion group trip to France, where the group were impressed by the Cooperatives d’Utilisation de Matériel Agricole, widely used in France, where up to 50% of all farmers are members of machinery co-ops.