Centenary Mass for former employees of sugar factory

A SPECIAL Mass remembering all former employees of Carlow Sugar Factory will be held in Carlow cathedral on Thursday 21 May.

The Mass is part of the wider celebrations marking 100 years since the factory was opened in 1926.

Starting at 7pm, the Mass will honour the legacy of all deceased employees of Irish Sugar, Armer Salmon and Erin Foods, while a social gathering is due to take place after Mass in the Seven Oaks hotel, with refreshments provided.

Rather aptly, the Mass will be celebrated by two priests, Fr Brian Maguire and Fr Padraig Shelley, who are the sons of two former employees of the factory, Patrick Maguire and William Shelley.

All former employees and their partners are invited and it is hoped that as many family representatives of deceased former employees will be able to attend.

The first sod on the 320-acre site at Strawhall was turned on 5 January 1926 by bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Rev Dr Patrick Foley, with processing commencing ten months later in mid-October.

The factory was in operation for 80 years and was a major employer in the town and beyond, indirectly supporting thousands of jobs in related industries, with many local farmers supplying the factory with sugar beet.

It officially closed in March 2006, due to EU sugar reforms, which led owners Greencore to consolidate production at its Mallow plant. About 190 full-time and 130 part-time employees were affected by the closure.

For more information on the Mass and social event, contact Liam on 086 3526264 or Pat 086 1657435.