Cappamore celebrates sun, shows and 50 years of success

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

The agricultural show was founded 50 years ago and is now one of the leading events on the calendar of some 130 fixtures held countrywide.

It has also earned a big reputation as a showcase for quality cattle and young horses. And the rain has never once fallen on the proceedings.

That shamrock of tradition was maintained yesterday on a sprawling site at Bilboa, with the sun shining yet again on a colourful rural feast as other regions were drenched.

Show secretary Paddy Ryan said the event has established itself as a major contributor to the social and economic life of the mid west region and is acknowledged within the local area as a shining example of community spirit in action.

Irish Shows Association chairman George Durnin paid tribute to all those who had contributed to the success of the show over the years, and so did Macra na Feirme president Thomas Honner and IFA Munster vice president Donal Kelly. Minister of State Willie O’Dea and Dairygold Co-op chairman John Walsh were among the many visitors to the show, where Gerard Lynch, Kells, Co Meath, won the Growvite Aberdeen Angus All-Ireland Championship with Liss Bellmaid, a 22-month-old heifer. The show organisers said they were honoured to have been chosen by the Aberdeen-Angus Society from among all the shows in Munster to host its All-Ireland championship.