Editing Mitchelstown (section)

===Co-operative===
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2024}}
{{see also|Dairygold#History}}
[[file:Mitchelstown, 1978 geograph-3174900-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg|thumb|Streetscape in 1978]]
Up to 1990, Mitchelstown was the headquarters for Mitchelstown Co-operative Agricultural Society Ltd, one of the largest co-operatives in Ireland. This farmers co-op was founded in 1919. Between 1919 and 1990, Mitchelstown Co-op Creameries became the largest dairy processing business on the island of Ireland. While it became known for its processed cheese brands, it was better known in overseas dairy industry circles for its natural cheeses, which were exported around Europe and for which it earned several international prizes.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In the 1930s, the co-op promoted the introduction of intensive pig production in the area as another source of farm income, and several of Ireland's largest industrial pig farms were subsequently based in the Mitchelstown area.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

In October 1990, Mitchelstown Co-operative merged with Ballyclough Co-operative (based in [[Mallow, County Cork]]) to create an enlarged [[Dairygold|Dairygold Co-Operative]]. The co-op is now the largest farmer owned co-operative in Ireland and has its headquarters in Mitchelstown.{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} One of the first managers of Mitchelstown Creameries was Eamon Roche, who was credited with the organisation's massive growth.

Today Mitchelstown is home to Kerrygold Park, a €40 million butter production and packing facility supplying the [[Ornua|Kerrygold]] butter brand worldwide.<ref>Haddaoui, Lara. "[https://www.independent.ie/regionals/cork/business/kerrygold-unveils-new-40m-expansion-at-its-flagship-butter-facility-in-cork/a1505204121.html Kerrygold unveils new €40m expansion at its flagship butter facility in Cork]". ''[[Irish Independent]]'', 25 October 2023. Retrieved 9 February 2025</ref>