It’s showtime
It was best hoof forward for these hopefuls at the ever-popular Tullamore Show, writes
A SHOWERY start to the day didn’t dampen the spirits of the 60,000-strong crowd that flocked to the Tullamore Show in their droves on Sunday.
From gleaming Charolais and lush Limousin breeds, to sturdy Suffolk and Blackfaced sheep, the agricultural displays and classes were a dream come true for animal lovers of all ages.
Agri-Aware’s Big Red Shed proved a hit with audiences as TV3 chef Edward Hayden learned how to shear a sheep Meanwhile the ever-popular Farming Independent Farm Invention’s competition attracted the masses also.
Farm safety played a big part at the show, with MEP Mairéad McGuinness launching Embrace FARM’s 32-county ‘Our Drive to Remember’ which is set to run in memory of all those who have died or who have been seriously injured on Irish farms.
“It is likely that many of these people — men, women and a child — were here at the Tullamore Show last year. It is a huge tragedy for the families left behind and we must make every effort to ensure that in a year’s time we do not see a repeat of these awful statistics, with all the heartache it brings,” said Ms McGuinness.
Over at the Macra na Feirme tent Mitchelstown Macra members made up of Timmy Lane, Ger Griffin and John Mullins battled it out against Portlaoise and Moynalty Macra clubs to be crowned overall winners of the Macra/FBD National Farm Skills competition.
If farming doesn’t take your fancy but you somehow found yourself at the Butterfield estate yesterday, the lifestyle and features tent hosted a successful best dressed competition, while Declan Nerney entertained the crowds at the band stand.
With the sun beating down hard by the end of the day, there’s a chance that many farmers left the show with unexpected sunburn on their shoulders as well as plenty of fun-filled memories that will have them looking forward to next year’s show already.