'The Erin Story' records the fascinating story of a unique Offaly company

'THE Erin Story, The Power to Grow', a book about the founding and development of a successful and unique company in the Irish midlands, was officially launched in Dooly's Hotel, Birr on Wednesday night last.

The ballroom of the hotel was packed to capacity for the launch with many former employees attending the event.

The book is co-authored by former Erin CEO John Molloy and Shay Garvey, son of Owen Garvey, one of the men who helped build the success of the company in the 1960s and 1970s, and the editor is Tony Dargan.

Ferbane native Seamus Dooley, secretary of the National Union of Journalists and currently Offaly Person of the Year, officially launched the book and congratulated John, Shay, Tony and everyone associated with The Erin Story, The Power to Grow.

He said “this book tells the history of an entire community working together in harmony to achieve a collective dream”. And he used the occasion to call for the establishment of a County Museum for Offaly.

Sarah Molloy was MC for the occasion and on behalf of the co-authors she welcomed everyone to the evening to celebrate the launch of The Erin Story.

“It is so wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the pages of the book with us and we hope you get some time to share some memories throughout the evening,” she said.

Shay Garvey grew up in Birr in the 1960s and 1970s and is son of Owen Garvey who was a crucial person in the early development of Erin from 1960 until his untimely passing in 1974.

John Molloy was born in Connaught Street in Birr and studied accountancy in UCD, graduating in 1966 and after a brief time teaching in Portlaoise he accepted a post as assistant accountant in Erin Peats. He worked in various positions over his 48 years as an Erin employee culminating in his appointment as Managing Director in 1990 and he retired in 2015.

“John loved everything Erin, the people, the pots and most of all the bog,” said Sarah.

Shay Garvey said “we are blown away by the crowd here. When myself and John were talking about it, we thought there may be about 30 or 40 people here so it is really gratifying to see so many people.”

He outlined how the book came together and also gave an outline of the first 20 years of the Erin story. He said the original idea for the book came about when John invited him to the 50th anniversary of Erin in 2010. He said he hadn't seen John in about 30 years but he said they realised they were both very interested in industrial history in manufacturing companies and the effect they had on communities.

Six years passed until John Molloy retired and he contacted Shay and said he had all the archives of Erin from the beginning and said 'how about writing a story'?

“That was eight years ago and it has been a long tortuous journey with all sort of things happening. Covid hit us right in the middle, and at one stage we were about to give it up but just after Covid John said let's give it one last crack and he introduced Tony Dargan, and he cracked the whip on the two of us and got us here tonight. I want to thank Tony as without him there would not be any book,” said Shay.

“The book isn't an academic work, it isn't even a comprehensive history, it's a ringside seat on a start up in the 50s and 60s that went broke nearly two or three times, that was owned by six different owners over 60 years but throughout it all ultimately grew and gave really good employment to the community of Birr, through innovation of both the products and on the engineering side. There are lots of interesting pieces in it that people will enjoy.

“More importantly the book is about the people on two levels – there were 150 local people in Birr who invested in this company in 1959-60 and then there were over 350 employees, people who worked in the factory from the beginning to the mid 2010s and it is all about those people. I am really happy to see those very people to see, in some cases those very people and in somes cases sons and daughters or even grandsons and grand daughters here tonight.”

John Molloy said he didn't expect to see so many familiar faces at the launch. “It's fantastic, thank you all for turning up to support the launch of the book.”

“I joined the company in 1967 and retired in 2015 after 48 years. During that time I witnessed and was involved in a multitude of events, changes of ownership as well as the introduction of new markets and products, as documented in The Erin Story.

“The survival of the company after a chequered start was very much due to the executives at the time, John Rock, Owen Garvey and later John Irwin. They were the essence of professionalism in every respect. It is also important to recognise the contribution of those on the factory floor, in the office and on the bogs. These are the people who kept the three shift production operation going, the maintenance crews who prepared the mould and kept the complicated machinery running, regularly getting called out in the middle of the night to make essential repairs, those who carried out work on the bogs under the wonderful stewardship of Matt Moore and not forgetting all those who played a big role in the operation of the business, too numerous to mention.

“For my own part, it is a pleasure to have worked for so long with so many wonderful colleagues, all of whom I got to know personally.

“I am pleased to see former Taoiseach Brian Cowen here tonight. During a number of very difficult times for the company your assistance has never been forgotten.”

He welcomed back a number of people who were very influential in the company who had travelled to be present for the launch.

He said that when peat pots were the sole product of the company they peaked at a production of 330 million peat pots per year. At the peak they employed 125 people in various capacities. He also noted that many happy marriages took place over the years between employees.

“Jackpot as a company surivived and thrived because of this community. We were anxious to ensure that this history was recorded and with Tony's assistance, we have managed to do so. We hope you find it as interesting as we do,” he concluded.

Launching the book Seamus Dooley said he was delighted to be back in Birr where he began his journalistic career with The Midland Tribune.

“John and Shay have recorded the fascinating story of a unique Irish company and have done so with considerable style and attention to detail. As Editor Anthony Dargan has woven a rich tapestry, pulling together so many threads,” he said.

“The origins of Jackpot Ltd are truly remarkable and much credit is due to J.I. Fanning, the founding chairman who was first contacted by Arthur Willis of Reynolds – and the man who gave me my first job.

“Dean Michael Quinn and Jimmy Fanning set up a sponsoring committee to work with the major shareholder and a public meeting was held in the Marian Hall on January 2nd, 1958. The carefully selected sponsoring committee worked with the American investor and the appeal for funds attracted considerable local support as well as subscribers from throughout the country,” he stated.

“The share register is a valuable piece of social history and no doubt many of you will be drawn down memory lane as you recognise familiar Birr names. It includes a cross section of Birr society – the largest groups are described as 'housewives' and 'gentlemen'.

“Even more fascinating is the comprehensive staff list, complemented by a stunning collection of photographs. May I congratulate the authors and editors on the comprehensive captions, which enhance the value of the pictorial record for future historians,” said Mr Dooley.

“Looking at the pictures you get a sense of the spirit which underpinned the factory, in good times and in bad. There is an obvious collegiality, a sense of commitment and a sense of fun.

“That’s also evident in the personal reflections which are so insightful, and I was especially moved by the reflections of Paddy Duffy, someone I have known and respected over many years.

“There is a need in Offaly to celebrate our industrial history, not least in the fields of science, energy, engineering and distilling,” Mr Dooley said.

“The development of a County Museum in Offaly could bring together those diverse strands as well as commemorating the county’s architectural, ecclesiastical and revolutionary history.

“The pioneering spirit which led to that meeting in the Marian Hall on January 2nd, 1959, is needed to renew pride in Offaly and to ensure that the vast potential of our county is developed.

“There are currently 12 local authority museums in Ireland: Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Louth, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Monaghan, Tipperary and Waterford employing 83 full time and part time staff supported by an army of volunteers.

“Looking at the website of the Local Authority Musuems Network I was struck by the potential for a museum of Offaly, which need not be based in the county town and could well span more than one location,” Mr Dooley added in officially launching the book.

The Erin Story is on sale in SuperValu, Mulrooney’s and Dooly’s Hotel. Price €20.