Minister praises Mullingar Show in his official opening remarks
Image 1 of 13
Ray Brady (Irish Shows Association), Senator Aidan Davitt, Deputy Robert Troy, Joe Henson, Minister Charlie McConalogue, Chris Dolan and Paddy Donnelly at the official opening of the show.Image 2 of 13
Amy Lynch from Walshestown with Fancy Pants from the Andean Alpaca Farm.Image 3 of 13
Orson and Heron White with Tucker from Clonmellon after winning first prize in lead range show pony competition.Image 4 of 13
Cyndelle Napoleane and Jeanne De Lasteyrie enjoying the sunshine.Image 5 of 13
LEFT Mary Lambert with Poppy.Image 6 of 13
James and Jim Bourke from Mullingar Autos.Image 7 of 13
Declan Leonard and Eugene Bourke at the Fleadh Cheoil stand.Image 8 of 13
Ciaran Fallon from Streamstown entered the 2023 born heifer calf contest.Image 9 of 13
Margaret Claffey and Anne Donohoe at the North Westmeath Hospice stand.Image 10 of 13
Celebrity chef Adrian Martin put on a cooking exhibition.Image 11 of 13
Noel Briody on stage on Sunday.Image 12 of 13
Stephen and Fiadh McManus from Mullingar.Image 13 of 13
Richard O’Brien, chair of Westmeath IFA, with Minister Charlie McConalogue and Deputy Robert Troy at Mullingar Agriculture Show on Sunday. Mr O’Brien took the opportunity to lobby the minister on issues including nitrates, re-wetting and other farming schemes.Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue praised the Mullingar Agricultural Show Committee when he performed the official opening at this year’s event on Sunday afternoon.
In particular he highlighted the work they have done over the years to secure their own showgrounds, which makes the committee almost unique in Ireland, and he pointed out the merits of their foresight in purchasing the land, and holding on to it to run their show every year.
Entry numbers were up for the 2023 Mullingar Show, and though the heavy rain early over Mullingar on Sunday morning did its best to put visitors off, they still turned out in large numbers to enjoy the full range of competitions, the trade stands, the music and dancing, and the attractions for younger people.
Paddy Donnelly, committee PRO, had a list of people to thank for the successful running of the day, and was grateful that everything went well.
He said his fellow committee members, under chairperson Christopher Dolan, have done huge work over the years and this year was no different. “We thank all our sponsors, because if it wasn’t for our sponsors, we’d have no show, and as well as that, we’d like to thank the people that come with their exhibits, to put on a show for the public – hopefully people had a good day and they were able to purchase some items, if not today, maybe next week, from the traders.
“We also thank our health and safety officers – safety is to the fore all the time – and we had a good year and no accidents.”
Mr Donnelly also paid tribute to the new committee chairman, and said it was great to have a breath of fresh air and new ideas.
It is Mr Dolan’s second time in the chair, and he continues a long family tradition with Mullingar Show as his father, Joe Dolan is show president, and (like Mr Donnelly) was on the committee that led the buying of the showgrounds.