Visitors treated to brolly good show
Despite the best efforts of Mother Nature, however, the 54th show went ahead on an excellent site, with a large attendance, big entries and a carnival atmosphere.
Following overnight rain, there were occasional showers but in between there were some dry periods and even brief sunshine.
Heavy rain has never been known to fall on show day in Cappamore because, it is said, the organisers acceded to a request from a local priest many years ago not to hold the event on a Sunday.
Paddy Ryan, show secretary for 48 years, said this year’s fixture had fared much better than others, which have had to be cancelled around the country because of the wet weather.
“We have had a few showers, but these passed over. While the weather is not 100%, we are more than pleased with the day, taking into context the weather we have had,” he said.
The show committee, headed by chairwoman Marie Hayes, particularly thanked the Gleeson family for making land available for the event and other adjoining landowners for parking facilities.
First held in 1954, the show is a splendid mix of serious showing competition in cattle and horses and a wide range of activities with a broad public appeal.
The show’s reputation was reflected in the cattle entries which came not just from the Munster counties, but also from as far away as Donegal.
However, the weather was the main topic of conversation among farmers hoping for a rapid improvement so that they can complete the harvest, which is at serious risk countrywide.
Limerick IFA dairy committee secretary David Thompson said there has never been an August like the present month for rainfall. Cows are only being left out for a couple of hours each day and brought back in again because they are ploughing up the fields.
“The water tables are away up and land is soaked and sodden,” he said, adding that it will take at least a week of fine weather to improve the situation.
