Voluntary input may be shows’ secret ingredient
“I hope the day will never come when people are paid to run the show, because that will kill the spirit of the community coming together to do something for themselves,” said dairy farmer Paddy Ryan, who may be the longest serving secretary of an Irish agricultural show.
As a teenager, he became secretary of the fledging show at Cappamore in the north east of Co Limerick in 1960 - a position he has continued to shoulder to this day.
Speaking at the launch of the 51st Annual Cappamore Agricultural Show, which will be held on Wednesday, August 17, he identified voluntary input as the event’s secret ingredient for more than half a century. “The extent of voluntary input into the show has maintained a relationship between neighbours and colleagues over the years and generated a spirit within the community which has been beneficial in other ways too. It would be a terrible pity if the day ever came that we were to lose that spirit, because a place like Cappamore would be the poorer, and rural Ireland would be the poorer”, said Mr Ryan.
More than 100 people are involved in the Cappanore Show, from the entire spectrum of society and spanning all ages, from the schoolchildren who help to clean up the grounds after the show, to their parents and grandparents, some of whom have been associated with the show for most of its five decades.
“Without a voluntary input like that, and the support of our sponsors, we could not continue to run a show which is now costing in excess of €80,000 per annum”, said Mr Ryan.
Their Jubilee Show in 2004 was the most successful ever, but they aim to surpass that next Wednesday, when cattle and sheep exhibitors will compete for 29 trophies, while the horse classes and carriage driving classes have 43 prizes,
The programme will include the final qualifier and announcement of the winners of the All Ireland Hereford Bull of the Year, Senior Female of the Year, Junior Bull of the Year and Junior Female of the year.
It will also feature the Golden Vale Marts All Ireland €2,500 Commercial Championship, the awarding of a Specially Engraved Whisky Glass by the Aberdeen Angus Association, and qualifying rounds for the ACC All Ireland Heifer Championship, Laragan Lime Beef Bullock Championship, Oldcastle Young Beef Bullock Championship, and ten championship awards in livestock, along with 73 show classes.
The horse section includes the Irish Draught Foal Qualifier, Irish Draught Colt Foal Qualifier, the Gain All Ireland Colt Foal Qualifier, Aughinish Irish Draught 2 year old Filly Championship Qualifier, and the three year old filly championship qualifier. Other attractions include carriage driving, pet dog show, showjumping, sheaf throwing, flowers, crafts and cookery classes.
