Little Clodagh was the face of 100th Clonakilty Show
My award of the day at last Sunday’s Clonakilty Show had to go to three-and-a-half years old Clodagh Kennelly McInerney from Ardfert, Co Kerry, in the youngsters’ cattle showing class.
Clodagh, I suspect, was the one and only competitor at the show who still attends a crèche on a daily basis.
Clodagh was competing under the watchful eye of her mother Katie, and stole the show.
She attends the Little Voyagers Crèche in Ardfert, and has been a competitor at agricultural shows since the age of two-and-a-half.
She has yet to taste success, but her time will come.
Clodagh, for me, was the face of Clonakilty Agricultural Show 2015.
A show that might be turning 100 but which looks as fresh as ever.
Last Sunday was the 100th occasion that the show was held.
I met up with show director Tadgh Healy, who explained, “The first agricultural show here in Clonakilty was held on the 12th of September, 1901.
“And, bar a number of shows missed due to the World War, Economic War and the foot and mouth outbreak, it has been going strong.
“Entries of cattle and horses are extremely high, with exceptional quality on display.
“The Munster Final of the All-Ireland Craft Butchers Home Cook Competition is being held here.
“There are Macra na Feirme events and Irish dancing competitions under way.
“There is a fantastic poultry display to view.
“We have, of course, many stands displaying machinery and equipment used in farming today.
“And we also have Messham’s ‘Wall of Death’.
“And to round it off, we have been blessed with wonderful weather.”
Before I turn to the agricultural show proper, Messham’s ‘Wall of Death’ was brilliant.
It had the look of something from an old English fairground, you would be half expecting to see the Elephant Man or the Bearded Lady lurking around. You couldn’t help but be drawn to it.
The ‘Wall of Death’ is basically a cylindrical timber tower that spectators climb to the top of, and into which a motorbike rider will ride his bike at high speed, and up the wall. Messhams use Indian Scout motorcycles manufactured in the 1920s, because of their reliability.
The stunt was spectacular. Those who remember the 1986 film, Eat The Peach, will be familiar with what we witnessed on Sunday.
After his spin up the wall, I spoke with ‘Wall of Death’ rider Charles Winter — who was the stuntman in Eat The Peach.
I started by telling him I thought he was a lunatic. A statement that Charles laughed off, he probably hears that a lot.
“I’m a fifth generation Messham Wall of Death rider,” Charles said. “We have been all over Europe and as far as South Korea with our Wall of Death.”
From Clonakilty to South Korea, scaring all before them.
After the Messhams, at the other end of the showgrounds, I needed the peace, harmony and tranquillity of Mary Niles’ Tai Chi demonstration. She holds weekly classes in Clonakilty Parish Centre and Bandon town hall, offering people of all ages a great opportunity to de-stress, relax and work towards a healthier life, both mentally and physically.
And so to the livestock rings, where I met Seamus Crowley, director of Millstreet’s annual National Dairy Show.
He said, “There is a tremendous display of pedigree Friesian stock here today, probably the best show in West Cork.
“Fabulous cattle, fabulous crowd. Very successful overall.
“The great number of entries is really a credit to those involved in organising the event here today.”
Seamus reminded me that the National Dairy Show in Millstreet takes place this year on October 17, with Canadian expert Harold Sweetman already lined up to judge.
Dermot O’Leary, chairman of the Carbery Group, was also in Clonakilty on Sunday, with Carbery Milk Products sponsoring the Dubliner Cheese All Ireland Pedigree Friesian Heifer in Milk Competition.
“Carbery is delighted to be associated with Clonakilty Agricultural Show,” Dermot said.
“And I can clearly see that there is a great standard of pedigree cows and heifers on show here today.”
I also met a delighted 12-year-old, Brian Healy from Scartaglen Co Kerry, who won the dairy handling class for under 13 years.
Daniel Moloney from Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, was also a happy competitor, after winning the beef handling class under 13 years.
The Clonakilty win was Daniel’s third success this year, having already won at Bandon and Midleton.
Daniel and his father Donal had nine cattle in Clonakilty on Sunday; they take part in about 20 shows per year.
RESULTS
The main championships winners at Clonakilty included the following (Co Cork addresses unless otherwise stated).
DAIRY
JJ and Michael Barrett, Ballineen. Reserve: Philip Salter, Skibbereen.
Richard and Avril Helen, Clonakilty. Reserve: Robert Shannon, Ballinascarthy.
Patrick Smith, Doneraile. Reserve: Dermot and Jerry O’Driscoll, Timoleague.
1. Clare Kirby, Ballinascarthy. 2. Beechinor Family, Clonakilty.
Lily and Patrick Deasy, Ballinascarthy. Reserve: Clare Kirby, Ballinascarthy.
1. Clare Kirby, Ballinascarthy. 2. E & S Murphy, Waterfall.
Michael and Darren Lynch, Drimoleague.
Patrick Smith, Doneraile. Reserve: Dermot and Jerry O’Driscoll, Timoleague.
Jerry & Diarmuid Murphy, Innishannon. Reserve: Clare Kirby, Ballinascarthy.
Jerry & Diarmuid Murphy, Innishannon. 2. Gordon Kingston, Ballinscarthy.
BEEF
1. Tony O’Leary, Ballincollig. 2. Tom Ryan, Thurles, Co Tipperary.
Albert De Cogan, Castlemartyr. Reserve: Eustace & Deirdre Burke, Carrigaline.
Richard & Fidelma Stanley, Bandon. Reserve: Richard and Fidelma Stanley.
William R Gubbins, Kilfinane, Co Limerick. Reserve: John Moloney, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare. .
Tom Roycroft, Dunmanway. Reserve: Anthony McCarthy, Banteer.
Donal Moloney, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare. Reserve: James Wycherley, Lislevane.
Tony O’Leary, Ballincollig. Reserve: James Browne, Glanworth.
Tim O’Donovan, Dunmanway. Reserve: William R. Gubbins, Kilfinane, Co Limerick.
William R Gubbins, Kilfinane, Co Limerick.
Richard and Fidelma Stanley, Bandon. Reserve: Donal Moloney, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare.
Richard and Fidelma Stanley. Reserve: Eustace & Deirdre Burke, Carrigaline.
Albert De Cogan, Castlemartyr. Reserve: John Moloney, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare.
SHEEP
Graham Roycroft.
Tim Kelleher, Kilmichael.
Graham Roycroft.
HORSES
Russell & Judith Cowley, Mullinahone, Co Tipperary.
Russell & Judith Cowley.
John Roche, FOulkmills, Co Wexford. Reserve: Russell & Judith Cowley.
Russell & Judith Cowley. Reserve: PJ Lehane, Clonakilty.
1. Patrick O’Sullivan, Leap.
1. Russell & Judith Cowley.
1. John Murphy, Shannonvale.
1. Denis Dullea, Bandon.
Séamus Lehane, Clonakilty. Reserve: John Burchill, Castlehaven.
Declan Fahey, Clonakilty. Reserve: PJ Lehane.
Regina Daly, Skibbereen. Reserve: Séamus Lehane.
Séamus Lehane. Reserve: Regina Daly.
Josephine O’Driscoll, Enniskeane. Reserve: Rosarie Collins, Rosscarbery.
John Dineen, Bantry. Reserve: Michael Calnan, Leap.
1. William Ryan, Ballydehob. 2. William Ryan.
Margaret Greene, Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Reserve: Jenny O’Driscoll, Castletownsend.
Emer Cunneen, Blackstone Bridge. Reserve Champion: Margaret Greene, Clonmel.
Emer Cunneen. Reserve: Margaret Greene.
OTHER WINNERS
1. Bandon Grammar School 2. Clonakilty Community College.
Orla Mahony. Reserve: Rixon O’Donovan.
Darren Keohane. Reserve: Gerard Knowles.
1. Aoife O’Flynn Meade & Lochlann Rohan, Enniskeane.
1. Eileen McCarthy.Best vintage dressed lady: Mary McCarthy, Glandore.
Adrian McCarthy, Bandon.
Finn McCarthy, Rossmore.
Lilly Clifton, Midleton.
