Kenmare Mart in Co. Kerry is gearing up to celebrate a major milestone next week as it marks 30 years in business.

The special occassion will see a mass being held at the mart at 7:30p.m on Thursday evening (July 9), followed by light refreshments.

Every year, thousands of cattle and sheep pass through the mart ring, attracting buyers from all over the country.

Dan McCarthy, manager of Kenmare Mart, told Agriland that the facility has also hosted card games, dances and even a hen party.

"The only thing we're still missing is the wedding, actually. We haven't got the wedding yet, but hopefully that will come in time," Dan said.

Kenmare Mart

The origins of Kenmare Mart began when a committee was formed in the 1980s.

"It took them six or seven years to get the site to build the mart. We were lucky in the finish where it was built, just two miles outside of the town.

"Thankfully, from there on, it has been a success for the farming community. It's been well supported down the years," he said.

Dan said there has been huge changes for the mart over the past 30 years.

"If you look back at the pictures of when it opened first, to see the way the stock were being transported with timber trailers. The standard of trailers and transport and lorries has improved immensely.

"People are more into it now, they know the breed that's going to sell and they know the quality that will sell. So they're putting more time and effort into their breeding and it's paying," he said.

Dan admits that he was initially against online mart sales, but he now believes "it's one of the greatest things that ever happened for the marts".

"You have people that can't come to the mart on a particular day, they can look in and see the stock, they can buy online. That is making an unbelievable difference.

"It is bringing the smaller marts up to equality with the bigger marts," he said.

Dan also said Kenmare Mart also uses its Facebook page to promote sales and present price reports.

"All I can do is hit the hammer when they are at right price, but the younger staff they can do the online stuff," he said.

Social

Despite all the new technology, Dan said the mart is still a vital social outlet for farmers.

"It is unbelievable the amount of socialising that is done here. People just coming in for the chat, sitting down and having a cup of tea, even at the ringside to have the chat," he said.

Dan said that everyone is welcome to attend next Thursday's celebration.

"People can look at the pictures going back through the years. Anyone that has pictures can bring them and we'll put them on display.

"There's also lot of the people that were here 30 years ago that have passed on, so it is an important occasion," he said.