Special Attractions at South East Clare Show

Bridgetown Agricultural Society

The following information on the establishment of the Bridgetown Agricultural Co-operation Society was taken from Edward E Lysaght book Sir Horace Plunkett. “His Place in the Irish Nation” Published 1916.

In his introduction he wrote, it is almost impossible to pick any one village in Ireland to illustrate the successful working of the Co-operation idea. I choose Bridgetown, Co. Clare simply because I know the place intimately having been a regular visitor to Mr Ernest Brown at Clonboy who was one of the first landlords to identify himself with the aspirations of the Co-operate movement. Nearly all my facts were gleamed from a single visit and a few hours talk with the local Secretary Mr Hogan who gave me what information he though fit.

The Bridgetown Agricultural Society was started in August 1911; no trading was done until January 2nd 1912. It was registered the 11th November 1911, under the Industrial and Provident Act 1893.

The turnover of the Society trading in the Agricultural goods was £741 18s. 7 ½d, and that year the Society met a loss of £12 8s. 3d, which was due to uneducated co-operators, and we had to meet the competition of the day.

In 1913 a Hired Implement Society was attached, consisting of 1 horse sprayer, 1 potato digger and 1 manure distributor. Value of machines at end, less depreciation, was £42 6s. 4d. Total earnings for year were £17 9s. 9d. The Agricultural Department turnover of this year was £1153 2s. 7 ½d. The result of 1913 trading was a net profit of £6 8s. 5d.

In 1914 the Society’s turnover was £1492 16s. 10d. earnings of hired implement were £12 17s. The result of the 1914 trading was a net profit of £11 1s. 8d.

In 1915 the Society added other machines to the Hired Implement Society, and this branch now consists of 1 horse sprayer, 1 reaper and binder, 1 slag distributor, 2 turnip sowers, 1 disc harrow, 2 potato diggers, 1 knapsack sprayer. Value at end less depreciation, was £81 17s, and the total earnings of year were £33 13s.

Also this year 1915 a Poultry and Egg Society was attached and resulted in a turnover of £553 4s. 5d. The agricultural sales were for the full year £1897 10s. 4 ½d.

We are in possession of a beautiful store on the bank of the Shannon at O’ Briens Bridge, which cost the Society £234 19s. 4d. to erect. According to statistics I have taken the tillage has increased 15 per cent, due to the Hired Implement Society. Poultry is taken up in a serious way since we starred the Poultry and Egg Society.

Our Agricultural Department is a boom to the farmers of the district, for all good are sold under a guarantee of analysis of percentage of purity and germination given on all seeds, and percentage of oils and albuminoids given on feeding stuffs.

We keep up supplies as far as our over drawing powers allow us. We have the use of £1000, and nearly at all times of the year we make full use of this amount.

Furthermore the Agricultural Society laid the foundation stone of Co-operation, and on the foundation we have the three societies working, Agricultural, Hired Implements and Poultry and Egg. Also it founded the Creamery Society, which is working very successfully. It cost us the sum of £1400 odd to erect. It is going on its third year working.

The Creamery Society is separate from the others. Their success gave the farmers of the district sufficient confidence in themselves to set up a creamery within a hundred yards of an old established one belonging to the most powerful private firm in the country, because they felt that by so doing they would get the full fruits of their work. The result has justified their self reliance, for there is now the milk of nearly 500 cows going into their co-operative creamery, while that of less than half that number finds its way into the other; and the price of the milk is higher than that given by the private concern.

By way of comment on this letter I would say that Bridgetown has benefited from co-operation, as I know myself, in four distinct ways. It has learnt business method and made more money than it would have made without co-operation. It had gained a sprit of independence and self reliance. It has increased its tillage and so its employment of labour. It has saved for the country the energy of its secretary and creamery manager, the former at least of whom, I know, would have other wise been an emigrant to America. It has gained morally, psychologically and materially. And if a mere parish as thus profited, how much must Ireland as s whole have benefited from co-operation, how much must it do for her in the future.

Early Ploughing Matches

The Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland was established in 1841. Its objectives were to encourage agricultural and farming pursuits, by holding agricultural shows and supporting local farming societies. Some of these in turn organised ploughing matches which were used to promote the merits of the iron plough.

Co. Offaly Ploughing match at Tullamore 1843
Twenty four ploughs started at Tullamore ploughing match and the work done was highly creditable. The field was a beautiful lawn of perhaps 36 inches deep and without a single stone. It would be but justice to Sherdian and Sons to say that the best work done at the Westmeath match, and that this, was that performed by ploughs of their manufacture. A beautiful sample of sub-soil ploughing was exhibited by Mr. William Levinge of Westmeath and was pronounced by small farmers to be a “powerful fine institution”. All the gentlemen of rank and distinction including Lord Charleville, were present.
Source: Freeman’s Journal 3rd February, 1843

Co. Clare Ploughing match at Spancillhill 1847
Clare ploughing match came off on a field upon Col. Wyndhams Spancilhill Model Farm on Saturday last. Eight well appointed ploughs started on the occasion. The work was in general very well done considering the hardness of the ground owing to the pervious dry weather. The ploughs were chiefly Barrowmans and although the stiffness of the ground was against them a few did their work very well in raising an arise on the furrow slice. The judges were James Buncragg and James Johnston. The men and horses had a refreshment when half done and again when they finished their work. The day being fine a number of spectators were in attendance among them a large number of gentlemen and a few ladies.
Source: The Limerick Chronicle 19th March 1947

Co. Clare Ploughing match at Ballycar 1873
An important trial of double furrow and other plough is to take place tomorrow afternoon on one of the fields of Major Studdert, near Ballycar Station. The arrangements are under the supervision of Messrs J. and G. Boyd, agricultural implement agents from Limerick and under such auspices, may be confidently expected to give satisfaction.
It is not often the farmers of the county have such an opportunity of testing practically the merits of the various ploughs offered for their selection and, should the weather prove propitious it will no doubt be largely availed of.
Source: The Clare Journal 12th February 1873

Compiled by Fred Bourke

Bridgetown Fairs

A patent was granted in 1745 to John Brown of Clonboy House, to hold fairs at Bridgetown, on May 30 and 31, and November 3 and 4. By mid 19th century these dates had been changed to June 10 and November 25. The number of fairs held annually had increased to four by the end of the century. On the morning of the November fair of 1866, William Steel Studdert, who had leased the Clonboy estate from the Browns, entertained about thirty gentlemen for breakfast. It was a substantial meal, consisting of ham, fowl, eggs, beef and mutton and tea, coffee bread and butter. Mrs. Studdert, with true Irish hospitality, presided at the table. This early morning meal proved so popular with the visiting gentry that the Limerick Chronicle of 13 June 1868 reported that nearly two hundred were served breakfast on the morning of the June fair of that year.

A weighbridge was essential at fairs and markets and tolls could not be collected unless a weighbridge was provided. Inspectors of weights and measures regularly inspected these weighbridges and stamped the weights. Ernest Brown of Clonboy House erected a weighbridge at the Bridgetown Green, in the early years of the 20th Century. In later years James O’Sullivan was in charge of operating the weighbridge. It was removed in May 1978. Saturday was market day at Bridgetown.
Tolls:
The patentee of Bridgetown tolls was the Brown family of Clonboy. The Tolls of the Bridgetown fairs in later times were leased to the Quinlivan family at £30 a year. John Quinlivan got the tolls for 21 years lease, at the yearly rent of £20 in 1836, and had it renewed in 1856 on the same terms. His son John was the toll collector until the 1920’s. in 1920, an effort was mad to collect tolls on all animals, at entry to the fairs. Naturally this move was much resented by the farmers.

The dispute continued for about two years. Finally, a deputation from the Bridgetown branch of the Irish Farmers Union called on Ernest Brown and an amicable settlement was reached. In April 1922, Brown, the patentee, and John Quinlivan, clerk of fairs, issued a notice to the effect that henceforth tolls would be collected on purchased cattle only, as in the old system. Paddy Quinlivan was the last toll collector at Bridgetown.

The above information on the Fairs of Bridgtown was taken from “The Killaloe Anthology” by Sean Kierse Published 2001.

	South East Clare Agricultural Show
	*Local History*
Bridgetown Agricultural Society Early Ploughing Matches Bridgetown Fairs Bridgetown Agricultural Society The following information on the establishment of the Bridgetown Agricultural Co-operation Society was taken from Edward E Lysaght book Sir Horace Plunkett. “His Place in the Irish Nation” Published 1916. In his introduction he wrote, it is almost impossible to pick any one village in Ireland to illustrate the successful working of the Co-operation idea. I choose Bridgetown, Co. Clare simply because I know the place intimately having been a regular visitor to Mr Ernest Brown at Clonboy who was one of the first landlords to identify himself with the aspirations of the Co-operate movement. Nearly all my facts were gleamed from a single visit and a few hours talk with the local Secretary Mr Hogan who gave me what information he though fit. The Bridgetown Agricultural Society was started in August 1911; no trading was done until January 2nd 1912. It was registered the 11th November 1911, under the Industrial and Provident Act 1893. The turnover of the Society trading in the Agricultural goods was £741 18s. 7 ½d, and that year the Society met a loss of £12 8s. 3d, which was due to uneducated co-operators, and we had to meet the competition of the day. In 1913 a Hired Implement Society was attached, consisting of 1 horse sprayer, 1 potato digger and 1 manure distributor. Value of machines at end, less depreciation, was £42 6s. 4d. Total earnings for year were £17 9s. 9d. The Agricultural Department turnover of this year was £1153 2s. 7 ½d. The result of 1913 trading was a net profit of £6 8s. 5d. In 1914 the Society’s turnover was £1492 16s. 10d. earnings of hired implement were £12 17s. The result of the 1914 trading was a net profit of £11 1s. 8d. In 1915 the Society added other machines to the Hired Implement Society, and this branch now consists of 1 horse sprayer, 1 reaper and binder, 1 slag distributor, 2 turnip sowers, 1 disc harrow, 2 potato diggers, 1 knapsack sprayer. Value at end less depreciation, was £81 17s, and the total earnings of year were £33 13s. Also this year 1915 a Poultry and Egg Society was attached and resulted in a turnover of £553 4s. 5d. The agricultural sales were for the full year £1897 10s. 4 ½d. We are in possession of a beautiful store on the bank of the Shannon at O’ Briens Bridge, which cost the Society £234 19s. 4d. to erect. According to statistics I have taken the tillage has increased 15 per cent, due to the Hired Implement Society. Poultry is taken up in a serious way since we starred the Poultry and Egg Society. Our Agricultural Department is a boom to the farmers of the district, for all good are sold under a guarantee of analysis of percentage of purity and germination given on all seeds, and percentage of oils and albuminoids given on feeding stuffs. We keep up supplies as far as our over drawing powers allow us. We have the use of £1000, and nearly at all times of the year we make full use of this amount. Furthermore the Agricultural Society laid the foundation stone of Co-operation, and on the foundation we have the three societies working, Agricultural, Hired Implements and Poultry and Egg. Also it founded the Creamery Society, which is working very successfully. It cost us the sum of £1400 odd to erect. It is going on its third year working. The Creamery Society is separate from the others. Their success gave the farmers of the district sufficient confidence in themselves to set up a creamery within a hundred yards of an old established one belonging to the most powerful private firm in the country, because they felt that by so doing they would get the full fruits of their work. The result has justified their self reliance, for there is now the milk of nearly 500 cows going into their co-operative creamery, while that of less than half that number finds its way into the other; and the price of the milk is higher than that given by the private concern. By way of comment on this letter I would say that Bridgetown has benefited from co-operation, as I know myself, in four distinct ways. It has learnt business method and made more money than it would have made without co-operation. It had gained a sprit of independence and self reliance. It has increased its tillage and so its employment of labour. It has saved for the country the energy of its secretary and creamery manager, the former at least of whom, I know, would have other wise been an emigrant to America. It has gained morally, psychologically and materially. And if a mere parish as thus profited, how much must Ireland as s whole have benefited from co-operation, how much must it do for her in the future. Early Ploughing Matches The Agricultural Improvement Society of Ireland was established in 1841. Its objectives were to encourage agricultural and farming pursuits, by holding agricultural shows and supporting local farming societies. Some of these in turn organised ploughing matches which were used to promote the merits of the iron plough. Co. Offaly Ploughing match at Tullamore 1843 Twenty four ploughs started at Tullamore ploughing match and the work done was highly creditable. The field was a beautiful lawn of perhaps 36 inches deep and without a single stone. It would be but justice to Sherdian and Sons to say that the best work done at the Westmeath match, and that this, was that performed by ploughs of their manufacture. A beautiful sample of sub-soil ploughing was exhibited by Mr. William Levinge of Westmeath and was pronounced by small farmers to be a “powerful fine institution”. All the gentlemen of rank and distinction including Lord Charleville, were present. Source: Freeman’s Journal 3rd February, 1843 Co. Clare Ploughing match at Spancillhill 1847 Clare ploughing match came off on a field upon Col. Wyndhams Spancilhill Model Farm on Saturday last. Eight well appointed ploughs started on the occasion. The work was in general very well done considering the hardness of the ground owing to the pervious dry weather. The ploughs were chiefly Barrowmans and although the stiffness of the ground was against them a few did their work very well in raising an arise on the furrow slice. The judges were James Buncragg and James Johnston. The men and horses had a refreshment when half done and again when they finished their work. The day being fine a number of spectators were in attendance among them a large number of gentlemen and a few ladies. Source: The Limerick Chronicle 19th March 1947 Co. Clare Ploughing match at Ballycar 1873 An important trial of double furrow and other plough is to take place tomorrow afternoon on one of the fields of Major Studdert, near Ballycar Station. The arrangements are under the supervision of Messrs J. and G. Boyd, agricultural implement agents from Limerick and under such auspices, may be confidently expected to give satisfaction. It is not often the farmers of the county have such an opportunity of testing practically the merits of the various ploughs offered for their selection and, should the weather prove propitious it will no doubt be largely availed of. Source: The Clare Journal 12th February 1873 Compiled by Fred Bourke Bridgetown Fairs A patent was granted in 1745 to John Brown of Clonboy House, to hold fairs at Bridgetown, on May 30 and 31, and November 3 and 4. By mid 19th century these dates had been changed to June 10 and November 25. The number of fairs held annually had increased to four by the end of the century. On the morning of the November fair of 1866, William Steel Studdert, who had leased the Clonboy estate from the Browns, entertained about thirty gentlemen for breakfast. It was a substantial meal, consisting of ham, fowl, eggs, beef and mutton and tea, coffee bread and butter. Mrs. Studdert, with true Irish hospitality, presided at the table. This early morning meal proved so popular with the visiting gentry that the Limerick Chronicle of 13 June 1868 reported that nearly two hundred were served breakfast on the morning of the June fair of that year. A weighbridge was essential at fairs and markets and tolls could not be collected unless a weighbridge was provided. Inspectors of weights and measures regularly inspected these weighbridges and stamped the weights. Ernest Brown of Clonboy House erected a weighbridge at the Bridgetown Green, in the early years of the 20th Century. In later years James O’Sullivan was in charge of operating the weighbridge. It was removed in May 1978. Saturday was market day at Bridgetown. Tolls: The patentee of Bridgetown tolls was the Brown family of Clonboy. The Tolls of the Bridgetown fairs in later times were leased to the Quinlivan family at £30 a year. John Quinlivan got the tolls for 21 years lease, at the yearly rent of £20 in 1836, and had it renewed in 1856 on the same terms. His son John was the toll collector until the 1920’s. in 1920, an effort was mad to collect tolls on all animals, at entry to the fairs. Naturally this move was much resented by the farmers. The dispute continued for about two years. Finally, a deputation from the Bridgetown branch of the Irish Farmers Union called on Ernest Brown and an amicable settlement was reached. In April 1922, Brown, the patentee, and John Quinlivan, clerk of fairs, issued a notice to the effect that henceforth tolls would be collected on purchased cattle only, as in the old system. Paddy Quinlivan was the last toll collector at Bridgetown. The above information on the Fairs of Bridgtown was taken from “The Killaloe Anthology” by Sean Kierse Published 2001.
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