Located in the shadow of the iconic Rock of Cashel, Cashel Mart is one of Tipperary’s leading livestock marts which is celebrating 55 years in business.
Cashel Mart has been at the heart of the local community since 1968 when it was acquired by Robert ‘The Boss’ de Vere Hunt. Robert’s son Philip ‘Vere’ ran the business for a number of years before his children Robert (Jnr) and Alison took over in 2012.
Robert joined the family business in 2003 and was followed by Alison in 2010. Robert and Willie Troy are the resident auctioneers. The Mart employs four full-time staff and a further 20 on a part-time basis. It is proud of its gender-balanced workforce which includes three ladies in the yard.
Committed to providing sellers and buyers with a fair platform, Cashel Mart comes alive every Saturday at 11am when it hosts its weekly sales which comprise a large variety of livestock, including bullocks, heifers, bulls, cows, calves and everything in between. With annual sales of approximately 27,000 cattle, the Mart plays a prominent role in the local economy.
In addition, dairy sales are held at 12 noon on Thursdays from March to May, while live sheep weighing for butcher and factory lambs takes place every Monday morning to give farmers the going rate. Pedigree in-calf cow and heifer and Pedigree bull sales are also held during the year.
Cashel Mart’s staff have been involved in cattle sales for many years. Its team of enthusiastic auctioneers, yard personnel, drovers and office staff combine to ensure the smooth running of the sales. The Mart has one sales ring and can hold 700-800 cattle at one time. There is ample parking outside, while the Mart is easy to access from all parts of the country thanks to its close proximity to the M8 Motorway.
Cashel was one of the first Marts in Ireland to adapt Newline ASP Auction Management Software in 2003. The system provides all the information buyers and sellers need to know, from the weight of the animal to its movement and test dates. The Mart has also invested in online auction technology that enables it to offer live bidding facilities. This allows customers from far and wide to purchase livestock with the tap of a button.
“Our live sale ring streams are available to view on the MartEye App when an auction is in progress. Online bidding became very popular during Covid and now accounts for about 20% of our sales. We would have been doing our customers a disservice if we didn’t provide online sales during the pandemic,” Robert de Vere Hunt says.
Alison comments: “We are known throughout the region for the quality of our cattle. We provide a top-class service and pride ourselves on being the most picturesque Mart in Ireland.
“We’ve been in business for 55 years and farming practices have changed a lot in that time. Our location in the heart of the Golden Vale means that we have a lot of dairy farmers on our books. Many farmers in this area have transitioned into dairy due to the unfortunate demise of the suckler industry.”
While Cashel Mart doesn’t have its own canteen, the nearby Brosnan’s Pub offers mart-goers a warm welcome and the opportunity to catch up with each other over freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches or snacks.
“We enjoy an excellent relationship with Brosnan’s, just as we did with Morrissey’s who were there before them over 20 years ago. One complements the other,” Robert points out.
Cashel Mart incorporates Cashel Livestock & Property Sales Ltd. which specialises in agricultural sales and land lettings as well as residential and commercial sales.
“We’re a one-stop shop for all your livestock, farm, tillage and grazing sales and lettings. Our services also include evaluations, probate, machinery, land transfers, property management and commercial property, including zoned development land,” Alison explains.
Health & Safety has always been taken seriously at Cashel Mart which has bounced back strongly from the pandemic with large entries of livestock selling for high prices.
“2022 was a good year,” Robert reports.
“The throughput of stock was very good. The year wasn’t without its challenges, however, not least back in July and August when you had dairymen feeding their cows silage because of the dry weather. That had an impact on us.
“Covid posed huge challenges for every Mart in the country. Only for our online system, we could have closed completely. When we eventually reopened, we took all the preventive measures to protect our customers. We provided face masks, hand sanitiser stations and installed protective screens. We are delighted to have our customers back at the ringside as this is really what the true running of a livestock mart is all about. The online market is here to stay, but you can’t beat a physical presence and being able to meet and chat with customers. ”
Cashel Mart has always been a loyal supporter of the local community and continues to give generously to sporting organisations and charity events. Committed to complete customer satisfaction, the Mart has earned a reputation as a leading livestock auction which attracts livestock and customers from far and wide.
As their long-standing business continues to go from strength to strength, Robert and Alison de Vere Hunt would like to take this opportunity to thank all the buyers and sellers who use their service for their support as well as their dedicated team for their hard work and expertise.
Cashel Mart Ltd
Camas Road,
Cashel,
Co. Tipperary,
E25 XP66.
Telephone: 062 62500
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.cashelmart.com
First published in Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 11 No 2, March/April 2023
