Biggest ever Tullamore Show

SOME 50,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Tullamore Show on August 13, which will be opened by Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan, TD.

Incorporating the AIB National Livestock Show, it will be held on a 150-acre site at Charleville Estate.

The country’s premier show will cost over €500,000 to stage and will have an expected 400 trade and machinery stands.

Show chairman Tom Maher said this year’s event will be the biggest yet and preparations are at an advanced stage on the site.

AIB has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the show, which is also backed by 350 other sponsors.

The show hosts 40 national championships, with the cream of Irish livestock and the foremost breeders in the country taking part. A prize fund of €150,000 will be on offer in 960 classes.

An extra 2,000 car spaces will be available this year, bringing the total to 10,000. Two new car parks have been introduced and the staffing of all car parks has been doubled.

Already 300 trade stands have been booked and the organisers expect that this number will exceed last year’s total of 400. The closing date for show entries is July 28. Sasha is offering a €1000 voucher for the Best Dressed Lady at the show.

The schedule of classes and details of events is available from Freda Kinnarney, show secretary (057 9352141), show PRO Christy Maye (087 2493111) or online at www.tullamoreshow.com.