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 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.