Numbers were down at Cahirmee Fair this year but deals were done
HANDS were shaken, deals struck and friendships forged in Buttevant on Tuesday as the town once again hosted the annual Cahirmee Horse Fair.
The Fair, which traces its linage back to the days of Brian Boru, is steeped in history and attracts thousands of visitors each year - all keen to take in its sights, sounds and smells and, if they are lucky, grab an equine bargain in the process.
While the days of making fortunes at Cahirmee may well be gone and numbers attending the event have dropped over recent years, it did not stop people turning out in their droves for the fair - which is reputed to be the oldest of its kind in the world.
Buttevant businessman and former Cork County Councillor Tom Sheahan told the Corkman that despite the fall in the number of people at the fair, there was still plenty of business completed.
“As ever, some people were happy with the prices while others were disappointed – that’s the way it goes,” said Tom.
“There is always a great atmosphere at Cahirmee and this year was no different with the usual array of characters that give the event the special kind of feel you would struggle to find anywhere else,” he added.
Tom said that one of the reasons why numbers were down on Tuesday could be that in recent years a lot of trading is actually done on the eve of the fair.
“I think that this has a lot to do with the fact that the roads into the town are closed for a few hours the day before, which allows traders to come and go without getting caught up in the heavy traffic jams that the actual fair day generates,” he said.
“To be honest, it always amazes me how Cahirmee comes together each year at all as there is no organising committee - it just seems to happen. It is always a great day with little or no trouble and is a great social occasion for the town,” added Tom.