About us
History of Bandon Co-op
Bandon Co-op, founded by pioneering farmers in 1903 and wholly owned by its farmer shareholders today, initially focused on milk processing to manufacture butter, which was marketed both domestically and internationally. Expanding significantly since the 1970s, notably after Ireland’s EU membership, it formed a joint venture in 1968 with Express Dairies, leading to the establishment of Carbery Group for skim milk and cheese processing. All milk collected by Bandon Co-op is processed by Carbery, while Clona Dairy Products, acquired in 1989 with neighboring co-ops, adds to its liquid milk and consumer food distribution.
1903 – Dr. D. Hennessy, Curryclough, Bandon
1918 – P.W. Cahill, Curryclough, Bandon
1929 – John O’Leary, Kilbeg, Bandon
1939 – Mr. William O’Driscoll The Glue Yard Farm, Bandon
1946 – Mr. Jerome O’Sullivan, Knockbrown, Bandon
1962 – Major Maurice Donegan Curriclough, Bandon
1972 – Mr. David (Tiffy) Crowley, Clancoolbeg, Bandon
1975 – Mr. Patrick Hayes, Maulmane, Bandon
1983 – Mr. Leo Lynch, Russell Hill, Upton
1985 – Mr. Teddy O’Mahony Gurteen, Bandon
1987 – Mr. Sean Murphy, Knocknacurra Bandon
1990 – Mr. Patrick Hayes, Maulmane, Bandon
1992 – Mr. Donal Kelly, Monaclarig, Kinsale
1996 – Mr. Flor Crowley, Knocknacurra, Bandon
1998 – Mr. Leo Lynch, Russell Hill, Upton
2004 – Mr. Teddy O’Mahony, Gurteen, Bandon
2007 – Mr. Arthur O’Leary, Belrose, Innishannon
2008 – Mr. Leo Lynch, Russell Hill, Upton
2009 – Mr. Dermot O’Leary, Gurteenomahon, Enniskeane
2011 – Mr. Cyril Draper, Gurteenroe, Enniskeane
2014 – Mr. Dermot O’Leary, Gurteenomahon, Enniskeane
2022 – Mr. Vincent O’Donovan, Annaghbeg, Ballinhassig
- 1903 – Mr. Thomas B. Levis
- 1906 – Mr. T. O’Donovan
- 1908 – Mr. T. Carroll
- 1917 – Mr. Tim Shine
- 1926 – Mr. J. Kelleher
- 1927 – Mr. T.A. O’Mahony
- 1933 – Mr. Sean Tracey
- 1971 – Mr. Michael Fitzgibbon
- 1988 – Mr. William Sheehan
- 2001 – Mr. Gus O’Brien
- 2014 – Mr. Gerard Brickley
- 2025 – Ms. Eilís Mahon
1889
1889
The beginnings of the co-operative movement in Ireland
Sir Horace Plunkett, founder of the co-operative movement in Ireland encouraged producers to form themselves into co-operative units to enable them to market their produce in a better manner.
1903
1903
The establishment of Bandon Co-Op
Bandon Co-Op was established in 1903 and the organisation dominated an eventful era of Irish history. The land war, considered the most extraordinary social revolution in Irish history, transformed the ownership of the land of Ireland within 30 years. This showed individuals, with leadership qualities, that they could influence matters, on both a local, and national level, for many decades ahead.
1903
1903
The Co-Operative movement in Bandon
The farmers of Bandon produced butter for generations and until the 1900’s, the butter market was a major feature of the town.
By 1903, there were more than 350 small co-operatives all over Ireland, and the nearest to Bandon was East Muskerry Co-op.
1903
1903
Watergate Street site
The Watergate Street site was leased and began conducting business on November 2nd, 1903. By December 1903, there were 52 members.
1905
1905
First Co-Op in West Cork
The founding of the Bandon Co-operative Agricultural & Dairy Society in 1903 was the first to occur in West Cork. The first recorded meeting was held on 5th June 1903.
Only separation of milk took place in the early years of operation with all the skim milk returned to the farmers and the cream sold to the Cork Co-operatives Creameries Federation, which operated in Cork city.
1907
1907
Butter making
The first butter maker was Miss Cronin. A butter manufacturing plant was installed.
1929
1929
Enlargement of the local site
An enlarged creamery was envisaged in 1929, a store was rented in Watergate Street. Around this time, Enniskeane requested to establish an auxiliary creamery.
1931
1931
Creamery in Bandon and the Shannon Scheme
The construction of the creamery in Bandon continued. It was the first to be powered by electricity completed by Shannon Scheme. The co-op was now capable of handling 6,000g and producing one ton of butter daily.
1932
1932
World Recession
The 1930’s saw a global recession and the effects of the ‘economic war’ led to a cash crisis.
The period during World War II proved a real test for the Society, mainly due to unavailability of Fuel, Feed & Fertilizer and other farm inputs.
1937
1937
The Ballinadee Branch
The Ballinadee Branch was opened
1940
1940
Opening of the Kinsale branch
The branch in Kinsale officially opened on the 1st of August 1940
1952
1952
First ladies on the Bandon Co-Op committee
At the AGM in February 1952, there were now two ladies on the committee for the first time- Mrs M.L. Healy and Mrs E. Deasy.
1966
1966
Formation of Carbery Milk Products Ltd
Formation of Carbery Milk Products Ltd (CMP)
1971
1971
First lorry tanker
The Co-op purchased the first lorry tanker for bulk milk collection. 65 bulk tanks would be in operation for the 1972 production season.
1980
1980
The Read Cup
The society won the ‘Read Cup’ for butter quality, for the first time, and it was a major boost for the society. The Read cup success was repeated twice in the years that followed and the Co-op won the cup on three occasions within a four-year period.
1983
1983
Expansion in the storage of grain
There was expansion in the grain storage. In the 1985 harvest the Co-op handled rapeseed, in addition to cereals, so the total intake amounted to 10,000 tons.
1985
1985
The Butter Minipack Project
In September 1985, a minipack machine with a capacity of 400 units per minute was installed at the Watergate premises.
1986
1986
The Onion project
The Co-Op sponsored an experimental 2-acre plot of onions and in the following year, a selected group of local farmers, devoted 10 acres to onion production.
1989
1989
Purchase of the Kinsale store
The trading division expanded when a factory in Kinsale was purchased in March 1989. When the upgrading was complete the Kinsale store became part of an enlarged trading division. The official opening happened in May 1990. There was then a further extension of the retail centre in Enniskeane.
1990
1990
Bandon Valley Foods Ltd.
Bandon Valley Foods Ltd. Was incorporated in September for the growing activities of the Co-op in grain, animal feeds, onions, and farm supplies.
1991
1991
Opening of new refurbished Retail Centre in Kilbrogan, Bandon
1997
1997
Official Opening of Bandon Co-op Enniskeane
Bandon Co-op Enniskeane Retail Centre opened in 1997.
2009
2009
Bandon Vale Fine Cheeses
2009 – Bandon Co-op completed the purchase of Bandon Vale Fine Cheeses in Lauragh, Bandon
2012
2012
Opening of revamped Retail Centre in Kinsale
2013
2013
Goods Kinsale
The purchase of Henry Goods Ltd Mill in Kinsale was completed by Bandon Co-op in 2013. The new Agri Feeds Division in Kinsale was officially opened in 2015.
2017
2017
Opening of Garden Centre at Bandon Co-op Enniskeane
Bandon Co-op Enniskeane store opened a new extension featuring a garden centre in 2017
2022
2022
Official opening of revamped Retail Centre Enniskeane
2023
2023
Official opening of revamped Retail Centre Kilbrogan Bandon