Carlow Sugar Beet Factory
Laying Foundation of Great Industry – Turning the First Sod – An Outstanding Event
Dr. Foley, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin turning the first sod of Carlow Sugar Factory on January 5th 1926. Photo Carlow County Museum.
It was a notable event which the large number of spectators witnessed at Strawhall, Carlow, on Tuesday, when the first sod was turned by his Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Foley in connection with the erection of a Sugar Beet Factory. Since the first move was made in Carlow to secure the Factory a tremendous amount of labour and organisation was necessary, and a great deal of explanation. So expense was incurred. The organising Committee were faced with great difficulties from the start. They had to contend against the faint –hearted; and what was much worse, a feeling amongst many people that such an industry as was proposed could not be a success in Ireland.
Factory under construction 1926. Photos Irish Sugar Ltd.
But such opinions were held only by those who ignored the results of the experiments that had been carried out under the direction of the Department of Agriculture, and which proved beyond all doubt that the soil and climate in Ireland including Carlow and the neighbouring counties, was the best to be found in any part of the world for the cultivation of Sugar Beet. The members of the organising Committee were intelligent, capable and enlightened men. They were full of enthusiasm, and they grasped the opportunity which presented itself to secure this great industry which will eventually bring prosperity to the farmers and the workers, and which it is confidently hoped, will open up a new era, in the Industrial life of this country.
2003- 04 Sugar Beet Campaign. Irish Sugar Ltd.
Dr. Foley in his address said “I need hardly say that it gives me great pleasure to come here to-day to turn the first sod of the…foundations of the there great buildings …and next November at latest will be erected here and prepared to receive the produce of the large acreage of sugar-beet.
So here I find myself now to perform this little ceremony, I am more accustomed to laying foundation stones of various buildings sacred and secular than I am to turning the first sods, symbolical or real. If I be guilty of any awkwardness during the process, I am sure you will make due allowance for my inexperience. I am not sure that I understand the full symbolical meaning of the ceremony; but I feel that I cannot be far astray when I say that it must mean that a beginning is been made here of the openings for the foundations of the great buildings that will occupy, so large a part of this 20 acre field by next November at latest.
The first delivery of Carlow Sugar leaving the factory. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 02-959.
With these few words, I proceed to perform the ceremony of turning the first sod, therefore declaring the work of erecting the Sugar Beet Factory in Carlow has been actually begun this day January 5th 1926, and I invite you to unite with me in praying that the blessing of God may be on the project, and on all who may have any part in furthering it, and that it may in God’s Providence prove a great boom to the people of the town, and the farmers and labourers of the area of supply and that it will be carried on in such a manner and with such results as will reflect great credit on the Irish Free State Sugar Beet Company, and on the Irish Free State (loud applause).
His Lordship then performed the ceremony of turning the first sod amidst loud applause.
Adapted extract from the Nationalist and Leinster Times, January 9th 1926
Christmas 1926 in Carlow Sugar Factory. Photo Carlow County Museum, ccm 02-945.
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