€700,000 to support return of agricultural shows in 2022
The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced €700,000 in funding to support Agricultural Shows taking place over the coming months.
The minister made the announcement during an address at the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show sponsor night on Wednesday.
Minister Humphreys said: “For over two and a half years, we lost something that really sums up everything that is good about rural Ireland.
“As minister for rural and community development, I know that the shows are intrinsically linked to that sense of community that rural Ireland is all about.
“It is fantastic to see the return of shows this summer and I am particularly pleased to announce funding of €700,000 will be made available by my department to support our Show Committees the length and breadth of the country.”
The minister Humphreys said it is of vital importance to rural communities that the government support the efforts of the show committees and the work of their volunteers.
“I hope that this funding will help put the shows on a firmer financial footing and provide vital support to the committees. I’m delighted to support the Irish Shows Association and like many others I look forward to getting out and about and visiting our shows this summer.”
Show dates over the coming weeks include Middleton (29 May), Belgooly (4 June), Ballyconneely Performance Pony Show (4 June), Ennistymon (5 June), Westport Horse and Pony Show (6 June), Leap Horse and Pony Show (6 June), Ballivor Horse Show (12 June), Dundalk (12 June), Claregalway (12 June), Ballinalee Connemara Pony Show (12 June) and Clonakilty (12 June).
Minister Humphreys also wished the organisers of the Tullamore Show well as they prepare for its return on August 14.
“Tullamore Show, along with all other agricultural shows has been sorely missed, and its return is warmly welcomed. I commend the hard work of the local organising committee. The organisers have shown great initiative and enterprise in the quality of the programme for Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show set for August 14. It won’t be long coming around.”
Catherine Gallagher, national president Irish Shows Association, 125 shows will benefit from the funding. “There is no doubt costs have increased this year, it’s great to have this support and we are also grateful for the support the department gave us through the pandemic.
“The showing season has started, and I have attended four shows, and the feedback from committees is their entries have doubled and the attendance has greatly increased. The sense of anticipation is palpable and from my experience to date I have no doubt this year will be busy for committees up and down the country. The upcoming events will add a little colour to the summer.”
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