Cappamore Show organisers hope to maintain fine weather record

THE organisers of tomorrow’s Cappamore Show in Co Limerick are hoping their unique record of fine weather for the event over 53 successive years will be maintained.

Long-serving show secretary Paddy Ryan said the history of fine weather for the show is unusual.

He recalled that they wanted to hold the show on a Sunday when it first started, but the then parish priest was not in favour of it being staged on the sabbath.

“He promised us that if we didn’t go against him we’d never regret it and we’d never have a wet day,” he said, explaining that the show is held on a week day.

The show organisers confirmed yesterday that the event is going ahead with a full programme as scheduled, at Gleeson’s farm in Portnard, just outside the town.

Entries are up over 20% owing to the number of shows that have been cancelled due to poor weather.

The organisers said traffic management for the Cappamore event is excellent, with some of the best ground conditions in the country for a show.

Farmers were meanwhile warned yesterday that recently completed reinforced concrete tanks are very vulnerable to damage at present because of the bad weather.

Teagasc expressed concern that tanks can float or burst in the middle if the height of water is higher outside than inside.

The warning came as major building activities continue on farms, where over 1 billion is being invested in facilities to meet new European Union environment requirements.

Teagasc farm buildings expert Tom Ryan urged farmers to drain around the outside of tanks at the base, or ensure that the water level is equal or almost equal inside and outside the tank.

“There is also a danger from drowning in these situations. Extreme care, secure fencing and warning signs are required,” he said.