Staff at Enniscorthy mart usually have to shout to be heard above the bleating of the 4,500 sheep that pass through every Monday. But this week the cawing of birds was the only sound from the deserted mart.
The staff were nowhere to be seen. Excluding canteen staff, 46 people were laid off when the mart closed its gates on March 27th. In the vast car-park, which holds hundreds of tractors, jeeps and trailers, there were nine cars on Monday.
The Co Wexford farmers' mart holds sales four days a week and is the biggest sheep market in the State. Mr Toddy O'Brien, mart manager, is reluctant to guess when the mart will trade again. "We were the first to close so we will probably be the last to re-open."
Some marts already operating in a break-even situation might never reopen, says Mr O'Brien. He estimates that Enniscorthy mart has already lost about £250,000. Its closure has affected most farmers in the region. Dairy farmers who normally sell on calves have to keep them, and house them. Farmers who sell store cattle at this time are also faced with feed, accommodation and cash-flow problems. Creameries fear the cancellation of bull sales will limit early milk supplies as cows will not be put in calf when planned.
If marts cannot open up, then an arrangement should be approved to allow marts match up buyers and sellers, Mr O'Brien says. "People wouldn't be gathering in large numbers, and it would take the pressure off." When the Meigh outbreak was confirmed, stock at a farm in Kilmuckridge were culled. The farm subsequently got the all-clear but it shocked people in Enniscorthy, says Mr P.J. Darcy, chief executive of Wexford Farmers' Co-op which runs the mart.
Last weekend, livestock on another farm were culled near Gorey. "We had first-hand experience of it because our men had to value the stock," says Mr Darcy. "The human element of it isn't being highlighted enough. It's very hard to put words on it. What do you do when your stock are gone? Where do you go? People are getting up this morning looking out on empty yards and fields."
Mr O'Brien says it is particularly traumatic, not only for farmers but also their families. "One farmer told me he hated listening to the early-morning news in case another case had been found, another county involved."
Enniscorthy's reliance on farming is highlighted by the mart closure. It puts £2 million into circulation every month, says Mr Darcy. Restaurants, shops, even barbers, all see an upturn in business on mart days. That passing trade is gone. The town is noticeably quieter at night, says Mr Niall Wall, manager at Murphy Flood's hotel. "In the first two weeks, there were nights when we were just waiting to switch off the lights. Weekends are busier now but it's quiet during the week."
Murphy Flood's attracts a strong GAA following, so this business disappeared when matches were cancelled. So too did dinner dances and farmer meetings. Although his business is seriously affected, Mr Wall says the precautions are for the good of the whole community. He is critical of mixed signals coming from the Government. "When we didn't have foot-and-mouth, everything was cancelled. Now we have it, and things are going ahead. It's very puzzling."
Foot-and-mouth has affected local fundraising activities. The Co Wexford Community Workshop for people with disabilities has cancelled its weekly whist drive. The bingo hall, too, is silent. Local children recently forfeited their places at the Scor Irish dancing competition in Portarlington.
The Riverside Park Hotel had to postpone concerts by Joe Dolan and Mary Coughlan, says its marketing manager, Ms Melina Magourty. Conferences and dinner dances were cancelled and there are fears bus tour companies will cancel. Some have already done so. Some of the 130 staff are using this quiet time to take holidays but if the crisis continues, layoffs are possible.
Enniscorthy has enjoyed a renaissance in the past few years, with high-profile events such as the 1798 commemorations and the Tour de France. For the past two years, it has hosted the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. This year was expected to be quieter, but not this quiet, says Mr Seamus Doran, manager of the National 1798 Visitor Centre. "We should have people coming in dribs and drabs at this time. You can see how quiet it is now." Apart from a few people in the coffee shop, this main tourist attraction was deserted on Monday.
The centre has been hit by cancellations from continental bus tours. "Not as much by US visitors because they have made long-term plans and cannot pull out as easily. It's easier for continental visitors to cancel, and they are also much more aware of what's going on."
Mr Doran has sent out mail-shots to attract school tours but fears this business may also be hit. Last year, the centre attracted 20,000 visitors. He doesn't hazard a guess at this year's figure. "It's quite possible that it will be at least September before Britain gets the all-clear. That's the season gone. Enniscorthy may be 200 miles from Louth, but we are feeling the effects."