Munster Express Online

Recently the disappearance of another landmark in rural Ireland occurred with the closure on Christmas Eve of the Mullinavat Creamery. It has been owned, staffed and controlled by Glanbia for many years now after the shareholders, the suppliers of the creamery, allowed it to be transformed from a co-operative society to a limited company with Avonmore, and later (when Avonmore and Waterford merged) with Glanbia PLC. It has been a witness to the changes in Irish and international history, from the ass and cart to a man on the moon: world wars and civil wars, the War of Independence, the coming of electricity, and the many important changes that have happened in farming and commercial life of rural Ireland.

It had a train stop at its entrance, first with the WSWR Company and later with CIE. It took in milk and made butter and cream, which it sold to many outlets all over Ireland. It took in grain, dried it, and made food stuffs from the corn for its suppliers. It had a delivery service, a farm shop, committees to manage its affairs, and full-time staff. Pat Corcoran, whose family were suppliers to the creamery for decades, took time off and recorded for us the last day’s activities. We publish some of the photos here and thank him for same.