Volunteerism is the bedrock of rural communities striving to defend their services, culture, and way of life against threats from growing centralisation and urbanisation.

The showing season which has started countrywide will continue for the next six months with close on 140 events being held north and south.

The country’s biggest one-day rural show at Tullamore will have a new layout for its 2013 event at Butterfield Estate on Aug 11.

ONE of the best venues in Ireland — that was the verdict of Irish Shows Association national president John O’Hara from Co Mayo at last Sunday’s Bandon Show.

THERE is no sweeter scent to the nostrils of country people than the smell of freshly cut grass in fields drenched with warm sunshine.

THE importance of safety at rural shows has been highlighted by the organisers of Athlone’s annual agricultural event.

THE celebrated Virginia Show, home of the prestigious Baileys cow championship, will be held this year on a new date – Saturday, July 31.

THE show season focus turns to Tralee tomorrow, when the 59th annual Kingdom County Fair takes place at Ballybeggan Racecourse.

SHOWS are an important part of the fabric of Irish life, according to John Browne, the new chairman of their national umbrella body, the Irish Shows Association.

THE agricultural shows which begin over the May Bank Holiday weekend are much more than a great day out for rural people — they also play an important role in raising standards in the country’s sport horse, livestock and artisan food sectors.

THE agricultural show season will start on the May bank holiday weekend and continue until the end of October, with 133 fixtures affiliated to the Irish Shows Association.

THE vital statistics of Tullamore’s celebrated show and national livestock exhibition in Co Offaly, yesterday, told their own story of the sheer scale of the one-day event, which attracted an estimated record attendance of 55,000 people.

THE show season, an integral part of rural life for thousands of people, has already started and will continue at venues north and south until the beginning of October.

CROWDS flocked to Cappamore, Co Limerick, yesterday, to celebrate a golden jubilee cocktail of shows, sunshine and success.

THE Irish Horse Board is to cut supports for organisations such as the Show Jumping Association of Ireland, following a reduction in its Government funding.