Rain fails to dampen show business

OILSKINS and wellies were required for a period at the country’s top livestock show in Tullamore, Co Offaly, yesterday as heavy rain lashed the event.

Nevertheless an estimated 35,000 people still turned out to support the celebrated rural feast on a 150-acre site on the Charleville Estate, one mile outside the town.

The show cost over €400,000 to stage, had a record 8,000 plus entries, a 3% increase on last year, and a prize fund of €138,000 for 900 classes and 40 national titles.