AIB’s Tullamore vote of confidence
They had 1,600 cattle, 1,200 horse and 400 sheep to look after easier to manage than the estimated 50,000 visitors who were stuck in traffic jams of up to six miles.
But the massive event, with more than 400 trade stands and a prize fund of E145,000 at stake for 920 agricultural exhibition classes, got a major vote of confidence from its title sponsors, Allied Irish Banks.
"As always, the extent and the quality of the entries, the excellence of the exhibitors and the level of prize money make this an extremely impressive event," said Michael Dowling, head of agri-strategy with AIB.
Stressing its importance in the new and more competitive agri-environment, he said Tullamore is a showcase for excellence that is unparalleled in Ireland.
AIB has already indicated its willingness to continue as the main show sponsor.
Mr Dowling said the agriculture industry has responded with resilience to changes introduced by the EU, and faces a more certain future with some confidence.
He said success will depend more then ever on quality, efficiency and competitiveness in the marketplace.
AIB is very confident about the future of agriculture and of the rural economy, said the head of agri-strategy, who revealed that the bank will shortly launch a new biannual agri-bulletin.
"Because of the development of the overall economy, the agri-food sector will not be as nationally important in the future as it was in the past, but it will remain a significant part of the economy generally and the critical part of the rural economy. It will continue to be the principal indigenous industry and a major contributor to Irish exports and Irish net foreign earnings", said Mr Dowling, a former secretary general of the Department of Agriculture and Food.
Finance Minister Brian Cowen, who officially opened the show, praised the ability of farmers to adapt and change to whatever circumstances are dictated by the market place.
"Irish agriculture has professionalised and Irish agriculture has improved its quality and its output time and time again," he said.
He urged everyone with a critical interest in agriculture to work together, because of agriculture's critical importance as an indigenous industry and the support structure for rural life.
"You can be sure that whatever the challenges that we face in the coming months or years, it is that approach which best serves us all, everyone in the industry and indeed everyone in the country," he said.
"Farmers are here today providing the sort of quality stock that can compare with any in any other agricultural country in the world."
"We have to ensure obviously that a price and an economic way of living is derived from that produce," he said.
CATTLE
Hereford Champion: David and Daithi Carroll, Campile, New Ross, Co Wexford (Reserve: Albert De Cogan, Killamuckey, Castlemartyr, Co Cork)
Hereford Heifer of the Year John Holloway, Horseleap, Moate, Co Westmeath (Val Ledwith, Batterstown, Dunboyne, Co Meath)
Hereford Female Albert De Cogan (Trevor Dudley, Dovea, Thurles, Co Tipperary)
Hereford Bull of the Year John Holloway (JJ Farrell, Trillickatemple, Longford)
Hereford Male Champion David and Daithi Carroll (John Holloway).
Montbelliarde Champion and Reserve Christy Mc Grath, Greenrath, Tipperary
Jersey Ben Tyrell, Kildalkey, Co Meath (Tim O'Connell, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick.)
Shorthorn Donal and Maura McKeon, Enniscrone, Co Sligo.
Holstein Friesian Junior Clayon Coulter, Emyvale, Co Monaghan (Trevor Lockhart, Ramelton, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
Simmental Paddy and Elaine Hennelly, Creggconnel, Rosses Point, Co Sligo (Martin Regan, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo)
Simmental Female Paddy and Elaine Hennelly, (Martin Regan).
Simmental Male William Colleary, Lacken, Enniscrone (John Connaughton, Dysart, Mullingar, Co Westmeath)
Charolais Female Jim and Ivan Ryall, Castlemartyr, Co Cork (Tom and Ann Marie Butler, Gooldscross, Cashel, Co Tipperary
Charolais Male Jim and Ivan Ryall (Angela and Gerard Brickley, Coolrain, Portlaoise, Co Laois
Limousin John Quinn, Cartons, Co Longford (Dan Tynan, Doon, Mountrath, Co Laois)
Limousin Female Dan Tynan (William Smith, Oldcastle, Co Meath)
Limousin Male John Quinn (P J McDonnell, Gornston, Co Meath)
Angus John Farrell, Curraghroe, Co Roscommon (Albert De Cogan)
Angus Female John Farrell (Jeremiah Martin Henchy, Sandville House, Grange, Co Limerick)
Angus Male Albert De Cogan (Matthew Goulding, Kilmore, Ballyduff, Co Kerry)
Saler Brian Halton, Corlurgan, Bailieboro, Co Cavan (Tommy Fitzpatrick, Ballybrophy, Portlaoise, Co Laois)
Aubrac James Byrne, Merville Farm, Colbinstown, via Dunlavin, Kilkenny. (Ernest Macket, Donard, Co Wicklow.
Commercial Gerald Gallagher, Carrigart, Co Donegal (William Gubbins, Kilfinane, Co Limerick)
Commercial Showperson of the Year William Gubbins.
SHEEP
Texel Ellen Bailey, Culcommon, Batterstown, Co Meath (Padraig Niland, Chessy, Ardrahan, Co Galway)
Texel Junior Stockperson Nicola, Paul and James McPadden, Rhode, Co Offaly (Mary Gallagher, Ballinamona, Glanworth, Cork.
Vendeen Conor and Cheryl O'Brien, Springvale, Kildorrery, Co. Cork (Mark and Audrey Crowe, Dunsany Co Meath)
Suffolk Philip Lynch, Castlebellingham, Co Louth (H W Stanley, Bawnogue, Rathdowney, Co. Laois)
Charollais Padraig Coughlan, Ballymahom, Co Westmeath (Frank Gibbons, Strokestown, Co Roscommon) Rouge de l'Quest Hugh O'Connor, Knockkelly, Fethard, Co. Tipperary.
Galway Michael and Thomas Maher, Monivea, Athenry, Co Galway (Tom Murphy, Creagh, Balliasloe, Co Roscommon)
Beltex Gerry Boyle, Grange, Athlone, Co. Roscommon (Brian Mathews, Quarrymount House, Killeigh, Co Offaly)
Jacob D S and S Brown, Creeny, Belturbet, Co Cavan (G and N Fletcher, Sleamaine, Roundvood, Co. Wicklow)
Belclare Liam Delaney, Ballynewan, Athy (Liam Dunne, Moate, Co Westmeath)
Commercial Aidan Fahey, Ardrahan, Co Galwy (Robert Porter, Oldcastle, Co Meath).
HORSES
Foal Pat Kinsella, Fivealley, Birr, Co Offaly (David O'Brennan, Clara Road, Tullamore)
Brood Mare Derry Rothwell, Greenhall, Tinahely, Co Wicklow (Chantal Deon, Tynagh, Loughrea, Co Galway)
Young Horse Sorrell Keogh, Drishogue, Oldtown, Co Dublin (Michael Roche, Bell Lodge Stables, Assagart, Co Wexford)
Supreme Champion Horse Derry Rothwell
Connemara Pony Mick McMenamin, Newgrange, Slane, Co Meath (Mary Rabbitt, Monaglanstown, Castletowngloghan, Co Westmeath)
Bridge House Open Show Champion Derry Rothwell.
Miniature John Sharkey, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
Clydesdale James P Gibney, Oldcastle, Co Meath (Paddy Gaynor, Mullagh, Kells, Co Meath)
HORTICULTURE
Bridge House All Ireland Vegetable Collection Michael Walton, Ballinodare, Co Sligo (Harold Lawlor, Durrow, Co Laois)
Bord Bia All Ireland Quality Potato Martin Lawlor, Durrow (Stephen Ryan, Blueball, Tullamore)
All Ireland Single Rose Julia Walsh, Glebe House, Roscrea, Co Tipperary (John Buckley)
All Ireland Garden Club of the Year Galway Flower and Garden Club.
