Going for gold with medals up for grabs at ‘Ag Olympics’

THE sheer scale of Tullamore Show next Sunday reveals why it is aptly hailed as the country’s “Ag Olympics”.

But the AIB National Livestock Show, a central feature of the event, is also being given an Olympics-style touch, with a gold medal presented to each of the 42 livestock champions and a silver to every runner up.

The medals decision by the show organisers and the bank will add to the overall prestige of the country’s biggest one-day agricultural show.

Michael Dowling, head of agri strategy with AIB, praised the show committee on the initiative and predicted the specially commissioned medals will become a hallmark of excellence in livestock production.

An international team of judges will decide on the eventual winners and the medals will be presented in the main livestock arena during a parade of champions.

The national shows for the Limousin and Hereford breeds will also be held as part of the overall event where an exhibition of alpacas, which look like small llamas or elegant sheep with long legs and a graceful neck, is expected to attract a lot of interest.

Hailed as a model of resilience and volunteerism by Taoiseach Brian Cowen, the show will turn the 250-acre site into the bustling capital of rural Ireland for one day.

There will be over 650 trade stands alone, as well as exhibitions, entertainment and competitions.

It will cost €700,000 to stage and is expected to attract over 50,000 people and 1,000 competitors to the Butterfield Estate near the town.

The show will have 1,000 classes and 450 volunteer stewards will be on duty.

Some 20,000, free car-parking spaces will be available.

Gardaí will operate a traffic management plan.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Brendan Smith will officially open the event, which had to be called off due to wet weather in 2007 and 2008 but bounced back in spectacular style last year.

Revived in 1991, the show is now a massive project driven by the community and a tireless group of volunteers.

The organisers point out that agriculture was originally the show’s main focus but this has broadened considerably over the years to adapt to Ireland’s changing culture.

A committee headed by George Gill, chairman, Freda Kinnarney, secretary-administrator, and Christy Maye, PRO, has organised this year’s event.

The show grounds will open at 7am for exhibitors and to the general public at 9am with full catering facilities available on site all day.