Ballincollig buzzing as Summer Show finds new home
It was the first time in its 168-year history that the event was held outside the city, and all the indications were that the move to the country did it a power of good.
A 60-acre site, just off the Ballincollig Bypass, was the new home for the Munster Agricultural Society’s two-day show, which cost €100,000 to stage.
It was blessed with fine weather, good crowds, quality horse, cattle and other exhibits and had an exhibition area that included a large farm machinery display.
Jack Ryall, 88, Watergrasshill, who has links with the event since he first showed a pony at it in 1934, was delighted with the splendid new Greenfields location and layout.
“There is plenty of room. It’s great,” he said, as cattle from the top beef and dairy breeds were prepared for their classes.
Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, travelled from Oxfordshire to judge the Connemara ponies.
Young Scientists of the Year John O’Callaghan and Liam McCarthy performed the opening of the event.
In a welcoming message, chairman Gerard Murphy said moving to a new site presented many challenges.
But it has also provided a fantastic opportunity to develop a top-class exhibition centre with both indoor and outdoor facilities.
“We are currently looking at venues and developments in other countries and will take the best concepts and adapt them to fit the needs and ambitions of the local community, the county council and city council,” he said.
Mr Murphy said moving the show to Ballincollig was a new chapter in the proud history of the Munster Agricultural Society, which is older than the event, founded in 1807.
“We welcome the chance to build on the role we have played in the farming, educational, business and social life of Cork city and county over the past 200 years,” he said.
* Further coverage of the show will appear in the Farming Examiner next Thursday.
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