Fun for all in sunshine as 15,000 gather for show
AS THE sun split the trees last Thursday, more than 15,000 people made their way early in the morning to attend the Bannow-Rathangan show.
About 25 of the country’s top horses came together for the All Ireland Three Year Old Final, where Daphne Tierney’s Bloomfield Waterside was this year’s champion, a horse which was bred in Kilmuckridge by MJ Kavanagh.
The event was the highest standard they have seen in years, according to the large crowd that gathered around the ringside to watch the race.
Meanwhile, another highlight of the day was the Food Village where well-known chefs put on cooking demonstrations and food stalls provided some tasty treats.
Silver Fox Restaurant chef Gopal Kawander cooked some great fish dishes and received nothing but compliments for the tasty food he served up.
When chefs Adrian Martin and Phelim Byrne were not doing demonstrations, they were judging the semi-final of the home cooked championships, which saw Grainne Forrest from Gorey take home the prize.
Grainne will now go on to the All Ireland Final which will be hosted in Pilltown.
Chairperson for the Bannow-Rathangan show Betty Stafford said many of the visitors were happy to stay late as the weather was beautiful and they were enjoying the trade stands, amusements, activities and numerous shows that were on throughout the day.
Betty said: ‘We are just so thankful to our 500 volunteers who always give us a helping hand. Also to our sponsors and to our loyal exhibitors who return year after year and make the day a good one for our visitors.’