Co-op Conversations: Patrick Doyle/Peter Couchman

Patrick Doyle is the current Chair of the Society for Co-operative Studies of Ireland (SCSI). He is a lecturer in Irish politics and community development at the University of Limerick. His research focuses upon the history of co-operation, religion, and the moral economy. His book Civilising Rural Ireland: The Irish Co-operative Movement, Development and the Nation-State, 1889-1939 was published by Manchester University Press and examines the movement’s role in the Irish state-building project.

Peter Couchman spent most of his working life in the co-operative movement. This included heading the Plunkett Foundation, which supports rural communities to take control of the issues that matter to them, such as saving their shop or pub, building on the work of the Irish co-operative pioneer, Sir Horace Plunkett. He came to the post after having spent his career in the consumer co-operative movement,  where he was best known for helping to make Oxford, Swindon & Gloucester Co-op an internationally recognised example for engaging members and marketing its co-operative identity. He lives in North Tipperary.