The recent dinner and social organised by the West Cork IFA at Westlodge Hotel in Bantry was a special occasion for a number of reasons.

The occasion marked the 70th anniversary of the founding of the farming organisatio, and was the first such event to be held by the West Cork IFA since the dinner dance held almost three years ago in honour of Sean Clarke, who had given outstanding service to Cork farmers over 32 years as executive officer for the county.

Bantry’s celebration was also the first time in the history of West Cork IFA that a function has been attended by both the IFA national president and deputy president.

They were escorted into the venue by well-known IFA man Denis O’Leary of Ballingeary playing the bagpipes.

When the speeches and formalities were over, both Francie Gorman and Alice Doyle mixed freely with the attendees and were delighted to discuss any concerns which they had.

Jim Morris and Michael Keohane, two farmers who walked from Bantry to Dublin in 1966 with IFA President Francie Gorman.

Bantry has a special place in the history of IFA, due to the fact that it was the starting point of the famous ‘Farmers’ Rights March’ to Dublin.

Sixteen West Cork farmers set out from Bantry Square on October Fair Day in 1966 and, over the following days, others started from various parts of the country.

It all culminated in a massive convergence on Dublin by tens of thousands of people twelve days later, and is widely regarded as an iconic episode in the history of Irish agriculture.

Of the sixteen who walked from Bantry 59 years ago, there are five survivors, all of whom were invited to this special event.

Two, Michael Keohane of Coomhola and Jim Morris of Drimoleague, but now living near Ballydehob, were in a position to attend and their presence added a very significant extra dimension to the occasion.

Another aspect of the night was the awarding of an Honorary Life Membership of IFA to Gerard Burke of Durrus, in recognition of his long service to the organisation.

He said Dan Joe O’Donovan of Drinagh was the man to thank (or blame!) for his involvement, beginning in March 1973, when Dan Joe held a meeting in Durrus to revitalise the local branch and Gerard was surprised to be elected secretary.

Mary O'Neill, Skibbereen and Abraham Kingston, Drimoleague, celebrating in the Westlodge Hotel.

He has served on the West Cork executive as PRO, secretary and treasurer and said it was a privilege to have been involved in organising the commemoration in Bantry on the 50th anniversary of the ‘Farmers’ Rights March’ in 2016, as his father was among a band of farmers who walked the first few miles with the sixteen participants.

The chair of West Cork IFA, Tadhg Healy of Clonakilty, was MC for the night’s proceedings and warmly thanked all the sponsors when he read out the full list.

It was through this support that ticket prices were able to be kept at a reasonable price.

The main sponsor was AIB, followed by South of Ireland Petroleum and Cork Marts. The other sponsors were: Biggs Oil, Ahakista Plant Hire, Stock Health Bandon, Owen O’Driscoll, Deane Farm Machinery, Bantry and Skibbereen Tyre Centres, Hodnett Forde, Tria West Cork Oil, Pat Healy Tractors, FBD Insurance, Barrett-Agri, Brian Murphy Veterinary Castletownbere, Cronin’s Ballylickey, Keohane Readymix, Drinagh Co-op, KCK Electrical, Glenilen Farm, Carbery Oil, Field’s  Skibbereen, Ken Anderson Tyres, Lisavaird Co-op, FDC Accountants, Barry’s Tea, Carbery Milk Products, Clonakilty Park Hotel, Dairygold Co-op, Scally’s Clonakilty, Macroom Credit Union, Dunnes Stores, Gubbeen Farm Products, Castlelands Veterinary Clinic, Riverview Veterinary Clinic, SuperValu Bantry, Toolan PV, and Ronald Shorten.