The Late Lar Carroll Lar Carroll who died played a major role in the development of the agriculture and dairy industries in Co Kilkenny and beyond. Never one for the public fanfare, he was a solid figure, with a keen intellect, who brought people with him, the sure sign of a good leader. He was one of those responsible for setting up Avonmore Creameries in the 1960s, the forerunner to Glanbia. He helped to set up a branch of Macra in his native parish and later the new farmers' organisation, the NFA (National Farmers' Association). He was a founder member of Kilkenny Co-operative Livestock Market Ltd. He went on his bike and canvassed his neighbours to join and take a shareholding in the fledgling enterprise back in 1955. The operation started in 1956 at Barrack Street, Kilkenny where it still operates today. He joined the committee of the mart in 1971 and was appointed chairman in 1991. Under his stewardship, it has further developed and is one of the most successful in the country. He first came to national prominence in 1962 when as a member of Ballyragget Creamery Committee, he was sent to Dublin on an ICOS (the co-op movement umbrella body) seminar. At the time of his death, he was the chairman of the powerful Marts Committee within ICOS. He will be remembered for his part in bringing a number of small co-ops together to become Avonmore Creameries and for bringing about an alliance with the British dairy company, Unigate. lt led to the construction of the Ballyragget milk processing plant known as Avongate. He was appointed a member of the factory committee and helped to write the code of rules which governed the factory. He was an enthusiastic supporter of Avonmore and the amalgamation with Waterford Foods to create Glanbia. He retired from the local Glanbia committee just 12 months ago after many years of trojan service. Despite the many pressures on his time, his farming never suffered. He was a model practitioner and a great neighbour. He was immersed in everything good in Lisdowney. Where there was community work to be done, there you would find Lar. Although his postal address was Seaskin South Ballyragget, he was a staunch follower of the blue and white of Lisdowney, his home parish. He was involved with Lisdowney hurling club from a young age. He played underage for the club and later became involved in training underage teams. He graduated to training the senior team for a number of years and enjoyed success with them too. He was a good judge of a young hurler and picked out many fine prospects. Fittingly, the club formed part of the guard of honour at his funeral. Members of the IFA, Kilkenny Mart Committee. and Glanbia also led the. cortege. He was given a great send-off with huge crowds on both days. After the funeral Mass, the attendance were entertained in the local parish hall. Lar is survived by his wife Mary and children: Padraig, Tom, Michael, Nora, John, Paul, Mary and Angela; sisters Mrs.Bega Lahart and Mrs Betty Kenny and by his brother Michael. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Ted some years ago. Courtesy of The Kilkenny People November 2002 Tweet

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