Agri Loans

Driving regional growth with SME and Agri loans

Small businesses are the backbone of the Irish economy. They make up about 70 per cent of all businesses in Ireland, and nowhere is that more evident than in South Tipperary. Tipperary ranks third in the country for the number of SMEs per capita. Here in South Tipperary, agriculture is a huge part of that story, supporting jobs, local enterprise and rural communities.

We know that for farming families, the farm is not simply a job. It is a way of life, often built across generations and deeply rooted in the local area. But, like any business, farming requires investment, whether in land, livestock, machinery, equipment, or day-to-day working capital.

That’s where Clonmel Credit Union is making a real difference.

With an Agri Loan designed specifically to support farm businesses, Clonmel Credit Union is helping members across the region to access the finance they need to grow, invest and plan for the future.

The process is straightforward, local and personal. Something that matters hugely to Agri businesses and busy farmers. Behind every loan is a person, like Paul Farrell of Paul Farrell Machinery, who shared his story with us.

“When I approached the credit union, I didn’t realise that they actually did agricultural loans and mortgages. I thought it was just personal loans,” he said. “It’s great to see that they’ve got into the Agri sector. It’s a great support around the area because there’s a lot of agriculture and business to be done around the area.”

Paul’s business, Paul Farrell Machinery, provides services to dairy, tillage, sheep, plant and beef farmers in the locality. For businesses like his, having access to local finance is essential.

“Local support is everything,” Paul said. “To run any business, you need money, and when you have support on your doorstep like the credit union, it just makes it so easy. It’s a no-brainer because they are local, we have a face-to-face relationship with them, and their support is fantastic.”

That personal relationship is one of the things that sets Clonmel Credit Union apart. Members can deal with people who understand the local economy, agriculture, and the pressures of running a business in a rural community.

For Paul, that made all the difference. “The process was so simple. The loan was approved within a couple of days,” he said. “I’d advise anyone who is thinking of investing in their business to call in and have a chat with them because I’m sure they can help you out.”

Clonmel Credit Union’s loan application process has been designed to be quick and easy, with options that allow members to apply and sign digitally. That convenience, combined with local decision-making and face-to-face support, offers a strong alternative for agri-businesses seeking finance.

Michael O’Grady, Head of Credit at Clonmel Credit Union, said, “We know SMEs are crucial to our community’s vitality and growth. We are committed to supporting them with accessible, value-driven lending and development opportunities. We take immense pride in the positive impact we have on local businesses like Paul’s and others across South Tipperary.”

For farming families and agri businesses across South Tipperary, access to finance can be the difference between standing still and moving forward. We're here to support them because when local businesses thrive, South Tipperary thrives.