40,000 expected at agricultural show
It will be held on 150 acres of show grounds on the sprawling Charleville Estate, one mile outside the town.
It will incorporate the AIB national livestock show, which will involve keen competition for forty national titles.
Entries for 920 classes with a total prize fund of €145,000 are up 17.5%, while trade stands have exceeded the 400 mark for the first time and will cover eighteen acres.
Organised by an executive committee of thirty five people, the show, which Finance Minister Brian Cowen will officially open, will have 60 acres of parking for 8,000 vehicles.
Government, political, agribusiness and farm leaders will attend the event, which features dairy, beef and commercial cattle classes, a large sheep section, horse and dog classes and many other attractions.
The promotion of forestry by Teagasc and the Forest Service as an expanding farm enterprise will be an important feature of this year’s show.
A timely new exhibition will deal with alternative energy. It will include trade stands and a series of talks and displays.
Last year, the show attracted 8,000 entries, including 1,500 cattle and more than 1,000 horses.
Some €30 million of exhibits, ranging from heavy machinery to agri-products, crafts and food were on display.
The sheer scale of the show was reflected in the fact that it required 500 stewards, helpers and executives to stage. A total of 5,000 rosettes were presented to successful exhibitors.
