Clones Mart marks 40 years

Clones Co-operative mart Ltd opened for business in 1969 and the committee intends to celebrate that landmark with a 40th anniversary cattle sale on September 24. In its 40 years the mart has established itself almost as an institution in the Clones area and has been central to farming life over a much wider area, drawing custom from as far afield as Cavan and Fermanagh in particular. There was a debate in 1968 and 1969 about whether farmers in the area would establish a mart or hold a monthly or weekly fair, but eventually the consensus was that a mart, which had proved successful in other parts of the country, was the way to go. Premises were secured on property that was originally part of the Great Northern Railway in Clones and the first mart building opened in September 1969. Over the years the mart survived many crises in the cattle industry and the economy generally and transcended the political divide that affected many other businesses and institutions on the Border. The chief elements of the 40th anniversary celebrations will be two special sales; a cattle sale on September 24 and a sale of weanlings on October 13. Both will be organised in judging classes; the cattle sale on September 24 will have five: Class 1 Dry Cows; Class 2 Best Heavy Store Heifer; Class 3 Best Light Store Heifer; Class 4 Best Heavy Store Bullock; Class 5 Best Light Store Bullock. Judging will take place prior to the sale and there will be three prizes awarded in each section. As well as those sales the committee also plans to produce a concise history book of the mart over the years, which will put on record the service that the mart has given, the people who made it a success and the benefits it has been to Clones and the economy generally. It will be launched at the special 40th anniversary sale on September 24.