The Ossory Show is one of the most prestigious and long-running agircultural shows in the country and it takes place again this weekend in Rathdowney.
The event attracts competitors all over the country across a variety of categories and always makes for a great family day out.
One man who is part of the furniture is local photographer Alf Harvey who is on site from early morning every year – capturing a selection of images of prize winners, attendees and organisers.
And this week we stumbled across his coverage of the show in 2005. They make for great viewing!
In the mid Noughties, the Ossory Show organisers ran into a bit of a problem with sheduling difficulties as their big day clashed with Laois in the Leinster football final in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 2006 they took the decision to put it back a week to avoid another potential clash if Laois got to the final.
That year, however, Laois were beaten in the semi-final but in an awful stroke of misfortune for the committee, Laois were then drawn to play Offaly in Round 4 of the All Ireland Qualifiers on the same day.
In any case, these 2005 photos will bring people back in time. Many attendees did have their county colours on and the game was shown on a big screen – but there was also a selection of families enjoying the day, prize cattle, award-winning bakers and much more.
As always, the images will bring memories flooding back for those featured.
This year’s Ossory Show takes place this Sunday, July 22, in Rathdowney.
Elaine Treacy, Portarlington and Anael Champy, France checking out the stockPrize winners in the Easy Feeds Australian High Jump at the Ossory Show on Sunday, from left: Ger McBrian with Zack 2nd; Marty Phelan, organiser; Jessica Lalor with Jake of the Burgery 1st and Sorcha Hennessy with Sheppie 3rd.James Fogarty and ‘Charlie’ from Knock, RoscreaHelena Scott, Rathdowney (left) has some help from Mairead Ryan and Julie Delaney with her prize winning bakingMost suitably dressed lady Catherine Walsh, RathdowneyJudges Eugene McDonough, Kathleen Broderick and Noreen ByrneMorgan Cashin, Durrow at the Ossory ShowLily Lennon, Grace Lennon, Mary Killeen with Jack and Mairead Killeen, CullohillLaurence Campion, Knockaroo, entertaining the attendanceBernie, Alan, Rebecca and Conor Wall, KilladooleyHelena Cody and Betty StanleyEnjoying the bumpersPadraig Lowry, Bill Brophy and Conor O’NeillPat, Anne, Sorcha, Cliodhna and Grainne Meehan, Rathdowney with on of their Belgian BluesCheering Laois on in the football on TV at the Ossory ShowVeronica Phelan and Sky from RathdowneyBilly Mansfield calling out the classesGillian, Rachel and Alan Barton, RathdowneyJoanne Davy, Kieran Ryan and Noelle RussellGrainne, Rachel and Jenny HylandCanice, Carmel, Gerry and Matthew Gorman; Aaron Minogue, Dion Landy, Julie McMahon and Adam GormanClifford and Ann Roe, BallacollaKathleen Bergin, Marjorie Phelan and HolliPrize winners in the Little Miss Ossory at the Ossory Show on Sunday. From left: Rebecca Johnston, Toomevara, 3rd; Grace Hayes, Rathdowney 1st and Zara Sargent, Templemore, 2nd.Linda and Ethan Hayes, Rathdowney
