Description
You may not be immediately familiar with the name John Joseph Silke, but you will know his legacy. Kerrs Pink are just one of the varieties of potato that he introduced to Donegal in the early 20th century.
“My father was sent here in 1914,” said the Very Rev. John J. Silke, dean of the diocese of Raphoe. “He would find out what farmers could do, and encourage them and show them. He found the climate here very conducive to the growth of potatoes.” Mr Silke was instrumental in developing the Irish potato industry of the early 20th century.
“He went for the British chip trade,” Father Silke recalled, saying that his father also developed markets for Irish potatoes in Malta, Cyprus and North Africa. JJ Silke also grew a world-record yield of potatoes, more than 35 tons per statute acre in 1929; and was the only Irish man ever to win the Lord Derby Gold Medal, which he did in 1944 for the Doon Eire potato.
“He was always on the look out for new variety,” Father Silke said. Mr. Silke had begun by distributing Scottish seed to Donegal smallholders, travelling by light railway and bicycle. “He was a remarkable man,” his son said.
Printed by: Donegal Printing Company
