Seeing is believing when it comes to the Annual Poor Farmers Association (P.F.A) Charity Auction in Ardara.
Every Christmas for the past 14 years, the local farming community has come together to hold one of Ireland’s most bizarre auctions.
Sheep, chickens, silage – You never know what lots will appear in Teague’s Bar on the night, but the one thing that’s promised is great craic.
The 2019 P.F.A takes place in Teague’s Bar, Ardara, Co. Donegal on Saturday the 28th December 2019 at 9pm.
To date, the event has raised an astonishing €316,749.00 for local charities.
This year the funds raised from the PFA auction will be distributed between the Downstrands counselling services and Pieta House. Downstrands counselling services relies heavily on public donations to provide a vital service to the Ardara Rosbeg, Portnoo and Glenties communities.
This year the P.F.A. is delighted to be supporting their local counselling services.
What happens at the P.F.A.?
The stage is transformed into a bidding table for the auctioneer taking charge of proceedings over the usual dance floor which also morphs, on the night, into ‘the mart ring’ with livestock auctioned in bar… but seeing is believing so be sure to make your way to Teague’s Bar on the 28th Dec. 2019.
In the past, lots auctioned have included sheep, heifers, bags of turf, chickens, gates, bags of nuts and bales of silage to name but a few.
Here is just a taste of the auction back in 2008:
Organisers said: “We’ve lots flying in as we speak. And we’re expecting a wide and varied range of items to be in place by the time the night comes around. If you’ve never been to the event, then you should make the effort this year as it’s truly a unique night that will live long in your memory – it’s crazy – but it’s all for such a great cause!”
“The Poor Farmers Association (P.F.A.) would like to thank everyone involved in the last 14 Auction’s which raised a total of €316,749.00 THANK YOU ALL”
Anyone looking to donate items or place a reserve bid is asked to contact anyone of the organising committee before 27th December to be in the catalogue,
Cathy Boyd – 087 613 3085
John Breslin- 087 826 5334
Gerard McHugh- 087 648 8628
For updates follow us on Facebook.www.facebook.com/TeaguesBarArdara
Where did the Poor Farmers Association come from? Here’s the funny story:
“He’ll find it for you, but when you do find it make sure you throw a few coins into the box.”
Anyone in who has visited Teague’s Bar in Ardara and have had the pleasure of being served by the lovely Eileen Teague will have heard her say this now-famous phrase ( well, Famous in Teague’s Bar)
The Poor Farmers Association and subsequent Poor Farmers Auction was established on a cold wet night in the winter of 2005, where a couple of locals were sat at the bar counter in Teagues Ardara putting the world to right.
The St Anthony box on the counter was in tatters and needed a new cover, Eileen was giving out that it needed to be fixed up, “How could you expect anyone to throw a few coins into the box when you couldn’t see St Anthony on it,” she said.
Lord knows Poor St Anthony was owed a small fortune, what with all the things he had located in Teague’s…Car keys, mobile phones….to name but a few.
The barman Paul Molloy decided to cover the St Anthony box with an Ardara GAA lotto envelope but instead of writing St Anthony’s name on it, he wrote “The Poor Farmers Fund”, to the amusement of his customers.
Around a hundred euro was raised in the St Anthony Box and it was decided the money would go to the Donegal Hospice. The idea was given legs and grew and grew it was discussed at length to hold a livestock Auction for the Poor Farmers in the Bar, with all the proceeds going to the Donegal Hospice.
So, the Poor Farmers Association was formed, the Livestock Auction was to be held that Christmas in Teagues.
Fourteen years later, the committee with all the original members are continuing to go from strength to strength, raising huge amounts of money for local charities.
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