| Company type | Agricultural cooperative Producer cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Agriculture, home industry |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Successor | Irish Co-operative Organisation Society |
| Headquarters | 84 Merrion Square, Dublin , |
Area served | Ireland |
Key people | Sir Horace Plunkett (Founder) Lord Monteagle (President) Thomas A. Finlay (Vice-President)[1] Robert A. Anderson [2] (Secretary)[3] George William Russell (Assistant Secretary) PJ Hannon (Assistant Secretary) |
| Services | Farming advice, business expertise and financial assistance |
| Members | Over 100,000 in 1914 |
The Irish Agricultural Organisation Society (IAOS) was an agricultural association in Ireland which advocated, and helped to organise, agricultural cooperativism, including mutual credit facilities. From its establishment by Sir Horace Plunkett in 1894, it quickly became an important element of the Irish economy and laid the foundations of the successful Irish dairy industry.
Although officially apolitical, the IAOS became associated with the Irish Home Rule movement and Irish nationalist activity from the early 20th century.[citation needed] It was later reorganised, and renamed as the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society Limited, a body which continues to operate in Ireland.