Cork Summer Show revives glory
After years of decline the 2005 event at the Munster Agricultural Society grounds in Ballintemple showed that revival is well under way.
The attendance was small on Saturday to see a good entry of cattle and sheep. However, the attendance on Sunday, when horses were judged, was well up on recent years.
Chairman George Jeffery said he very delighted with the 2005 show. Cattle entries were above expectations, and horse entries were up, with equine exhibitors coming from all parts of Ireland.
“A lot of money has been spent in upgrading our grounds, in particular the show jumping arena. This programme of redevelopment will continue”, said Mr Jeffery. “The showgrounds are for the people of Cork. It is the Society’s aim to make the venue the event centre for the city and county,” he said.
Visiting horse judge, John Donaghy, Banbridge, Co Down, paid tribute to the work of the new show committee.
Meanwhile, some of the best animals in the country took the major awards.
Bank of Ireland hunter champion Silverstream, a grey Co Down bred gelding owned by Mr and Mrs Kieran Ryan, Oldtown, Co Dublin, had won the four-year-old championships at the Balmoral Show in Belfast.
The champion young horse award, sponsored by Carbery Hunt, was won by Ger and Sadie Murphy, Gorey, Co Wexford, with Springfield Celesta, a two year old brown filly, bred by Olivia Haughton, Ballycarnew, Gorey.
John Barrett and Sons, Togher, won the AIB sponsored supreme dairy and Holstein Friesian championships with their home bred five-year-old cow, Laurelmore Star Sallie.
The AIB supreme beef championship was won by Jim and Ivan Ryall, Midleton, with a cow that had earlier won the national Charolais championship.
Other cattle breed championship winners were Jimmy and Linda O’Donovan, Gortnamona, Schull, (Shorthorns), Tim O’Connell, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick, Jersey), Albert de Cogan, Killamuckey House, Castlemartyr (Hereford and Aberdeen Angus), Keith Vickery, Rosscarbery (Simmentals), Tom Hickey, Kilcommon, Thurles (Limousin), Mick and Helen Cody, Piltown, Co Kilkenny (Belgian Blue).
