Laois town in line for boost if mart can be reopened

A new plan to reopen a key Laois agricultural business in Laois that could have a valuable economic spin-off for Mountrath is well advanced with details to be revealed at an upcoming meeting in the town.

Some five years after Mountrath Mart shut in 2019 due to high costs, the Mountrath Co-Operative Livestock Sales Ltd committee has convened a meeting to get support for the plan to spark the business back into life.

After a failed attempt to involve a third-party operator in 2023, the committee itself intends to run the mart.

A planned reopening of the land in March is just one aspect of the rejuvenation of the site. It's anticipated that upwards of 30 acres around the mart that's owned by the Co-op would be freed up for housing or other development if a rezoning of the site is successful at Laois County Council this year.

Ken Holmes is the chairman. More below picture.

Mountrath Mart was also a community support as can be seen from the Clonenagh Group of Parishes Wellie auction for Daffodil Day in March 2007. Picture: Alf Harvey

“I am very happy to announce that the Committee is being proactive in its efforts to reopen mart complex for business. To this end the committee is hosting a public meeting to outline our plans for reopening the sale complex. This meeting is open to all shareholders, businesses, interested parties, the general public etc,” he said in a statement.

He continued: “Mountrath mart had a proud tradition of hosting livestock sales and providing a vital service to the agricultural community and providing a social outlet. Adding business to the town. Now the opportunity to bring stock to a local mart will be available again.

“Mountrath was a thriving mart with weanling sales drawing people and stock from all over Ireland,” he said.

He outlined the first steps in resuming operations. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

A great attendance for the Mountrath Mart 50th Anniversary celebrations, 8th November 2017. Picture: Alf Harvey.

“It is hoped that with the support of the community that a full sales program will be reintroduced on a planned basis starting with a calf sale on March 6 onwards and then possibly sheep sales and then general cattle sales and then weanling sales later in the year.

“With all other compatible uses up for consideration, the reactivation of the complex offers great opportunities to support the community,” he said.

Mr Holmes added that Mountrath has, over the years, hosted many diverse events to support not only farmers, but the community at large.

He said the mart had been used as the starting post for the annual St Patrick's Day parade and charity runs amongst other things and will continue to be available to help and support the community and any organisation going forward.

The public meeting takes place on Thursday, February 1 at 8pm in Bloom HQ Mountrath. All shareholders, local businesses and interested parties are asked to attend.

“I encourage each and every one to come to our open meeting,” said Mr Holmes.

He also told the Leinster Express / Laois Live funding is in place to get the mart operational with more details to be revealed at the public meeting. More below picture.

When it closed in January 2019, the then Committee said the mart was solvent and farmers were not owed any money. It had been open for 51 years when the gates closed.