Patrick Gallagher (1871 - 1966): Co-operative pioneer
Patrick Gallagher was born in Cleendra, near Dungloe, County Donegal. For a short period he attended Roshine school. From the age of nine he was hired out as a ploughboy in the Laggan district for very little pay. At the age of seventeen he left to work in Scotland and saved enough money to return home and buy a farm. He was responsible for establishing the Templecrone Co-operative Society, known locally as 'the Cope', and became known as 'Paddy the Cope'. He had a pier built at Dungloe and installed a generator which supplied free power to the local churches and lit the main street. He exported flagstones and knitted garments and improved the prosperity of the town. George Russell (AE) persuaded him to write his autobiography, My Story; 1939.
Born: |
25 December 1871 |
Died: |
24 June 1966 |
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