FARMERS ARE showing strong support for the Sixmilebridge Mart reopening in Co Clare by entering more than 400 animals for the opening sale next Saturday.
Mart manager Seán Ryan said he was “amazed” at the response from the farming community, and he was delighted with the numbers of animals being put forward for sale.
Locals, mainly farmers, had raised € 300,000 to reopen the east Co Clare livestock mart, which had been operating since 1973. It was shut in late 2009 by owners Golden Vale Marts, who claimed it was not viable.
Yesterday Mr Ryan said the opening sale was going to be very big due to the numbers booked in.
“We are delighted with the response and very excited. Farmers from across Clare and from Limerick have booked in cows for the sale.”
Mr Ryan said the new tunnel under the Shannon – which meant people travelling to the site could completely avoid Limerick city traffic – was a great help to the project.
Mr Ryan, from New Inn, Co Galway, who previously managed Athenry mart, said he had been in touch with cattle buyers and they indicated they would be at the sale ring on Saturday morning.
“There will be even bigger interest in the sale the following week because it is for weanlings , and we already have many inquiries about this,” he added.
The reopening of the facility would be of benefit to the agricultural and business community in the county, he said, and would cut the time farmers have to spend bringing cattle to other marts.
The 600 people who raised the money to buy the mart will become shareholders in the venture, which will be run by a nine-member board.