It was sad to note the death recently of one of the last men to manage a mart during its heyday of the 1960s.

Batt Twomey, the face of Kilkenny Mart for 28 years from 1968 to 1996, has passed to his eternal reward.

Eldest of a family of 12, Batt was born into a farming family at Coolfada, near Bandon in Co Cork in 1929, the year of the Wall Street crash.

Even in the dark days of the twenties, dairying and involvement in the co-op movement were important to the family, his father being on the committee of Bandon Creamery.

After finishing in agri college at Pallaskenry, he trained as a creamery manager at UCC, from where he emerged with a strong commitment to the Plunkett-ICOS ethos.

Batt started his career at Fethard Creamery and Millvale, coming to Kilkenny Creamery as assistant manager via Athboy. He then went to Ballypatrick Creamery as manager, before returning to Kilkenny as manager of Kilkenny Co-op Mart in 1968.

Even in the dark days of the twenties, dairying and involvement in the co-op movement were important to the family

During his time at the helm, his name became synonymous countrywide with Kilkenny Mart. Batt took on the task of management with determination, diligence and diplomacy.

His arrival was a new beginning in the relationship between management and committee.

He had a reputation of being fair and would not tolerate unethical practices from farmers, buyers, sellers, dealers or auctioneers.

As Batt’s reputation grew, so too did confidence in the society as a fair place to trade. Annual turnover peaked at £55m.

On one particular sale day, almost 3,000 cattle passed through the ring with a value of close to £2m.

Batt oversaw many changes, particularly the development of the premises to become the biggest single sales centre in the country.

As Batt’s reputation grew, so too did confidence in the society as a fair place to trade

The ever-changing new regulations and decimalisation brought their own challenges. At ICOS meetings and particularly at manager meetings, his opinions were sought and respected and in the aftermath of official duties, he enjoyed the social gatherings as a raconteur and contributed an odd song.

Outside of work, he took a great interest in the GAA. Always a Cork man, but I am sure that after more than 50 years in Kilkenny and much family participation locally, he held a generous respect for Kilkenny. He enjoyed gardening and also assembled a well- stocked library to satisfy his reading pursuits. He lived to provide for his late wife Margaret and his family. He was very proud of their achievements and those of his grandchildren.

Apart from his family, he left a great legacy to Kilkenny Mart, a thriving business, a modern premises, well-funded and well respected.

To all his family we extend our most sincere sympathies.

Ni bheidh a leitheid ann aris.