The 30th National Dairy Show

ONLY the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 has blemished the National Dairy Show’s 30-year record. No show was held that year.

Except for that interruption, it has been a story of progress at the Green Glens Arena, Millstreet, home of the event by kind permission of owners Noel C Duggan and family. With support from breeders, trade stand exhibitors, and sponsors, the event has been established as one of the best dairy shows in Europe.

This year’s show director, Seamus Crowley, and assistant show director, Tom Baker, have paid tribute to the foresight of the show founder members — Brian O’Connor, Bob Troy, and John O’Sullivan (who is still a very active member in the Cork Friesian Breeders Club).

The 30th anniversary will be marked by an increase in prize money to €30,000, made possible by the generosity of sponsors and trade stand exhibitors, many of whom have supported the show from the beginning.

On Saturday, Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney will officially open the show at 1.20pm. Special presentations will be made to the exhibitors of the show champions over the three decades of the event. Tim Kiely, a member of the show organising team from the start, will present these special awards, with ex-IHFA chief executive Kevin Dillon acting as MC.

As part of the 30th celebrations, a book will be launched on Saturday which will document and celebrate all 29 National Dairy Shows. It will be available to purchase for €10.

As usual, show organisers intend to make Saturday a day out for all the family, by having a larger trade stand display area, with varied attractions.

The model farm display introduced for the first time last year proved very popular, and is back next Saturday, including remote-controlled tractor and trailer reversing competitions for under-10, under-13 and under-16 categories.

The Show will have attractions for children such as face-painting and bouncing castles.