Horace Plunkett
Horace
Curzon Plunkett was born in 1854 to an Anglo-lrish landed gentry family.
The son of Lord Dunsany, he was a man of frail appearance with a slight
stoop and dogged with ill health throughout his life. Neither was he helped
by poor public speaking skills. As Bolger commented: " ...in a loquacious
coun- try and in an age of oratory he was a poor public speaker. He could
attract and hold the loyalty of the few but could not draw crowds."Yet Horace Plunkett overcame his physical and personal shortcomings, as well as public misgivings from both sides of the political and religious spectrum, to establish himself as a key figure in the emergence of the modern Ireland. He was born and educated in England, yet his aristocratic upbringing did not deter him from becoming a pioneer for social and economic reform. Although a Unionist he supported many non- Unionist causes during his lifetime, including the Gaelic Athletic Association, the Gaelic League and the campaign for a Catholic University. He was familiar with the work of the Rochdale Pioneers and had observed with keen interest the growth of the British co-operative movement, which was centred on urban consumer needs. Plunkett could see the potential for an Irish model but was convinced from an early stage that it would only work if applied to Ireland's main economic activity, agriculture. His experiences at Oxford University confirmed in him the need for social reform and the vital role of the co-operative movement in achieving that aim. He experimented in co-operation in a practical way on leaving college by opening a small co-operative store in Dunsany, Co Meath in 1878. Ill health forced him to close the shop and he moved on doctor's advice to warmer climes in the USA.
From an early stage Plunkett recognised that the greatest need for co-operation in Ireland was among the peasant farmers, still using outdated farming methods and machinery and exploited on all sides, from the purchase of essential supplies to the selling of their produce. On his return from the States he seriously set about converting his theories into practical working models.
Plunkett's mission was one fraught with pitfalls and dangers of self-destruction. He was, after all, from the landlord class, detested by the Irish peasants and supportive of the Union. If the mostly Catholic and only recently liberated smallholders had reason to be sceptical of his sincerity in throwing in his lot with them, his establishment brethren were somewhat bewildered too by what they considered, at best, his eccentricity and, at worst, his betrayal of his own class and creed.
Plunkett was a determined and resilient man and sought support from wherever he might get it. He preached the doctrine of co-operation as the best way forward and asked the smallholders and sympathisers with his mission for Ireland to follow his gospel. He travelled the length and breadth of the country telling the farmers that they must take control of the means of production and come together to develop an effective marketing strategy. He was one of the establishment class which held the reins of power and influence in Ireland and he spared no effort in converting his aristocratic friends to his co-operative philosophy and enlisting their support. He also sought the best talent to drive the movement. Apart from Anderson, who became chief organiser, Plunkett forged a close bond with George Russell, better recognised under his pen name, AE, one of the foremost figures in the Irish literary renaissance at the close of the 19th century. Another brilliant recruit was Fr. Tom Finlay, an energetic, middle-aged Jesuit priest recommended by Bishop O'Dwyer as "the ablest man in Ireland". Fr. Finlay and Russell combined their talents to whip up support for Plunkett and his crusade. Together they scripted and edited the Irish Homestead, the official publication of the co-operative movement, later called the Irish Statesman (1906-1930).
1. In what year was Horace Plunkett born ?
2.What was his middle name ?
3.Name 2 non-Unionist causes he supported ?
4. What county was he from ?
5.Why did he go to America ?
6.What did he open in Dunsay in 1878 ?
7.The British Co-operative movement was based on -------- ----------.
8.What did Plunkett think an Irish Co-operative movement should be based
on ?
9.What did he tell farmers ?
10.What was George Russell's pen name ?
11.What was the first official publication of the Co-operative movement
in Ireland ?
12. Pick two adjectives used in the passage to describe Plunkett.