Inishowen Co-op founder remembered as a true champion of co-operation

Tributes have been paid to the memory of the late Robert Carey, Carrowbeg, Lecamey, who was one of the founding members of Inishowen Co-op and served on its board for 46 years.

Mr Carey, a Moville man, helped establish the Inishowen Co-operative Livestock Mart in 1958 alongside other local leaders, marking the beginning of his long association with the organisation.

He served as chairman of the co-operative on two occasions and was a volunteer, shareholder and long-standing customer. Although he retired from the board in 2004, he continued to act as a trusted adviser, sharing his knowledge and experience as one of the few remaining founding members of the co-operative.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Irish co-operative movement, Mr Carey received the Plunkett Award for Co-operative Endeavour in 2021, the industry's highest national honour.

During his time with Inishowen Co-op, he was involved in several significant developments, including the establishment of the Inishowen Co-operative Agricultural Society in 1963, the expansion of the mart facilities in 1967 and the creation of a feed mill in partnership with Clonleigh Co-operative in 1968.

Further milestones included the establishment of a Pig Co-operative in 1972, the amalgamation of the Mart, Stores and Piggery Co-ops in 1975, and the integration of Moville Co-operative in 1982 and Buncrana Co-operative in 1987.

Beyond his work with the co-operative, Mr Carey served as IFA County Donegal Chairman from 1984 to 1987. He was appointed to the Western Development Commission in 1994 and also served on the board of Inishowen Rural Development Co-operative, where he promoted agricultural development across Inishowen. He was also Chairman of Inishowen Agricultural Show.

Following his passing on Sunday, October 18, Inishowen Co-op paid tribute to his lifelong commitment to co-operation and the local farming community.

In a statement, the co-operative described Mr Carey as “one of our founding members and a true champion of cooperation.”

The statement said his 2021 Plunkett Award was a fitting recognition of his dedication, integrity and belief in what people could achieve by working together. It added that his “contribution is woven into the history of Inishowen Co-op, and his legacy lives on in the organisation he helped to build and the community it serves.”

Mr Carey was predeceased by his wife, Mary. He is survived by his children Sheila, Michael, Martin and Liz, his grandchildren Emma, David and David, his great-grandchildren, sister Celia, and wider family circle and friends.

His funeral Mass took place on Wednesday, October 21, in St Columba’s Church, Ballinacrae, followed by burial in the adjoining cemetery.