Conversation so far:
What is the pioneering co-op and how does it relate to Horace Plunkett?
The Co-Op refers to Horace Plunkett's pioneering remedy for social and economic ills; cooperative self-help.
What did Horace Plunkett do when establing the first Co-Op for farmers?
Horace Plunkett took a leading part in developing agricultural co-operation, of which he had learned from isolated American farmers, taking account of Scandinavian models.
What were the scandinavian models Horace Plunkett took account of when developing agricultural co-operation?
Horace Plunkett took account of Scandinavian models of co-operation when designing agricultural co-operation.
How did Horace Plunkett use all the scandinavian models of co-operation and learning from isolated American farmers?
Horace Plunkett set his ideas into practice first among dairy farmers in the south of Ireland, who established Ireland's first cooperative at Doneraile, County Cork.
Did Horace Plunkett's increase profits for farmers?
Horace Plunkett's co-operatives enabled Irish farmers to deal directly with companies established by themselves, which guaranteed fair prices without middlemen absorbing the profits.
Are there any other interesting aspects about Horace Plunkett's co-operatives besides increasing profits and using a variety of models including American farmers and Scandinavian models?
At first, Horace Plunkett resolved to hold himself aloof from Irish party politics.

Question: why did he decide to stay away from that
Self-contained rewrite: Why did Horace Plunkett decide to stay away from politics?