Irish Agricultural Organization Society

Irish Agricultural Organization Society (IAOS), set up in Dublin in 1894 to propagate the idea of co‐operative organization among Irish farmers and to co‐ordinate the activities of existing co‐operative societies. The prime mover was an Irish unionist, Sir Horace Plunkett. In his view Irish agriculture faced a dire threat in the form of competition in its traditional British export markets from foreign producers. Co‐operative action on the part of farmers was the means to meet this competition and to better living conditions on the land. Since 1894, and without interruption (other than a name change to the Irish Co‐operative Organization Society in more recent times), the IAOS has served as the central organization for rural co‐operatives, making representations to government and other public bodies on their behalf. It has also worked to promote reform within the co‐operative sector. From the 1950s in particular it sought to accelerate the process of consolidating small, inefficient societies into larger, more viable organizations. These efforts were attended by mixed success, though it is fair to add that throughout most of its history the central organization has been poorly supported financially by co‐operative societies affiliated to the IAOS. This has meant dependence on state subsidies for its day‐to‐day operations, an anomalous position for a voluntary society devoted to the principle of self‐help.

Liam Kennedy