The Dealer was at a dinner to mark the retirement of the great Richard (Dick) Hartnett, the long-standing manager of Castleisland Mart.

A dinner with his nearest and dearest colleagues took place at the end of January. Some entertainment was needed and a mysterious stranger answered an SOS. The person compiled a heartfelt poem to the career of Dick. It’s as long as it is entertaining so if you want to read the full poem, log on to farmersjournal.ie. It’s worth the read. Here is a taster:

Way down in Co Kerry, In Castleisland Mart

For 34 long years he served

As mart manager he stood apart.

Opponents? Perhaps one or two

But to the farmers of the Kingdom

He was a loyal friend, strong and true!

With his turn of phrase and Kerry charm

They say before you knew it he’d stock your farm.

Whiteheads, Limousins, blacks or blues

When you were under his spell you just couldn’t refuse!”

From the hills of West Cork to the Plains of Kildare

From the sloblands of Wexford to the Burren of Clare

The buyers he’d coax with his salesman’s flair

“Come down to our mart and of you we’ll take care!”

Amongst the farmers of Kerry, large and small

They sought his opinion, one and all.

“Should I sell them now? Are the shippers buying?”

“Bring ‘em in next week sure the trade is flying!”

For the quiet shy farmer when met with trouble

Be it Department problems or even the property bubble

There was one man to whom they’d always turn

He’d give sound advice for them to discern.

Come the 3rd Sunday of September of a normal year

To Croke Park he’ll travel and for Kerry he’ll cheer

On the steps of the Gresham commanding the floor

And lads to get sorted with tickets galore!

Now after over three decades of hard work and toil

It’s time to relax, maybe tend to the soil.

And even it tempted maybe take that ol’ cruise

But the Richard we know, he won’t want to snooze!

So from your mart manager friends who are with you tonight

We wish you good health and that your future is bright!