Watch: Buying, selling and chatting at Kingscourt Mart
For many farmers around Kingscourt in Co. Cavan, the Thursday cattle sale is a day full of anticipation.
Long before the first bullock steps foot in the ring, the atmosphere around the mart is palpable.
From the very moment when the trailers start to arrive, familiar faces gather at the railings and conversations begin to spark around the yard.
As Lisa Keenan, who is the manager and auctioneer at Kingscourt Mart, puts it, "the energy of the place is electric and intoxicating" once it is in full swing.
Business naturally comes first and foremost on the day of the sales, but lots of farmers also value the social aspect that marts can provide for rural communities.
"It's like having a chat; meeting up with your old friends and just seeing what's going on," one farmer told Agriland.
Another farmer, who has been attending the mart for over 40 years, said the opportunity to meet neighbours and friends around the ring remains a highlight of his week.
He noted: "Meeting some of my old neighbours and friends over the years and catching up on things that happened through them times - that's what I enjoy the most."
The social role of marts
The dual role of the mart as a place of business and conversation is also appreciated by the staff at Kingscourt Mart, who span all ages and gender.
The importance of marts as social hubs became even clearer during the COVID-19 pandemic, when restrictions forced many livestock sales to take place online rather than in-person.
Mary Clarke, who has been working in the mart's office for over 50 years, explained: "The farmers use the mart as a social space where everybody has a chat, and when COVID came in, people were just lost for the mart."
Despite online auction sites remaining improvement following the pandemic, Kingscourt Mart continues to attract strong numbers of buyers and sellers week after week.
Office worker Sarah believes that for many attendees, the social aspect of attending in person keeps them coming back.
She said: "For the majority of people in here today, it's more of a social outing for them rather than just buying and selling."
Community impact
Keenan also highlighted how the influence of the mart extends far beyond the yard gates, benefitting the whole community.
"Marts all over the country have a huge reach," she explained.
"If you talk to any of the shops or filling stations around here, business cranks up on a Thursday."
"Your farmers - it's the day they get their hair cut, so barbers are busy."
Within the mart gates, every person from buyers to hauliers plays their part to make sure everything goes right on the day.
Keenan outlined: "Within the mart itself, you have your buyers and sellers
"You have your agents that are sourcing cattle for factories and other farmers.
"You also have your hauliers, so there is a huge spin off from the mart."
