Having created confidence in the local community and helped to preserve the fabric of rural Ireland down through the decades, Clonaslee Agricultural and Livestock Show is looking forward with pride to its 70th show which will be held on Sunday, September 8.
Combining competitions with entertainment and exhibitions, the show has an overall prize fund of €20,000.
The committee launched the 70th annual show on Wednesday, August 7 at the Clonaslee community centre, home to the show grounds.
The commercial cattle section includes the Anthony Maher’s Agri All-Ireland Championship with a €1,500 prize fund.
There are also classes for dairy; pedigree beef; All-Ireland Belgian Blue Junior Bull; pedigree interbreed calf; pedigree or commercial; young cattle stock person and genotype.
Other categories include: equestrian; sheep including a new young handler sheep competition; poultry; dogs including the Gain Dog Food All-Ireland Dog Championships and a local dog show; agricultural; cookery; crafts; crafts supporting sustainability and climate action; patchwork; art and photography.
There will also be vintage car and tractor shows. Local home produce exhibitions will include baking, crafts, flowers, and vegetables. Fun family events with numerous free activities will include bouncing castles, face painting, balloon modelling, a pets’ corner, bakery competitions and carnival rides.
Chairperson, Pat Carroll, said the show has flourished since its inception with incredible history.
“We are thrilled to celebrate our 70th anniversary. It’s a testament to the dedication and passion of our community.”
Families are in for a treat with a wide range of activities designed for all ages, according to committee member, Paul Flanagan. “We’ve ensured there’s something for everyone,” he said.
The day will be brimful of music and entertainment, with Rock on Paddy as the MC and Dee Morrissey providing a live performance.
The Clonaslee Show has become a special community event, celebrating agricultural heritage and providing a fun engaging experience for locals and visitors, according to Niall Bourke, one of the long-standing event organisers.
“We are incredibly excited about this year’s Clonaslee Agriculture Show. The launch night truly set the tone for what promises to be a spectacular day,” he said.
The first committee of the produce show consisted of members of the Young Farmers’ group and the ICA.
The first five shows from 1948 to 1952 were held on November 1 but the committee began to move to an earlier date in 1953 and this process continued up to 1997 to fit in with the change of dates for the hurling and football finals.
The 11th show on October 29, 1958 saw cattle classes included for the first time. Pigs, sheep, dogs and equines subsequently were added. The number of classes increased over the years and in 1996 there were exhibitors from the 32 counties.
In the past, a show dance on show night was an important fundraiser.
One of the founders, the late PD Brickley, in his history of the show written in 1997, recalled that in 1960, the committee “went a bit crazy” and launched into a festival of dancing with a large marquee and top show bands.
After four years, members decided it wasn’t worth the effort as luck wasn’t on their side in the staging of the event.
“They were too tired to enjoy the dances after all the work in organising the show but one man had reason to be grateful for the dances as he met his wife there,” said longstanding member, former chairperson and current horse steward, Denis Feighery who has been involved since his time in Macra na Feirme.
Picture: Alf Harvey.
In 1989 the show moved to the Clonaslee community centre, on its 15 acre site.
“One thing that has made a huge difference to the organisation of the show has been the introduction of mobile phones. We spent a lot of time trying to contact people on landlines and writing out to people,” Denis said.
While it can be hard to get people to attend meetings, Clonaslee has strong community spirit and everyone rows together on the day, he said.
“In the early years, it was easier to get volunteers as there were less other attractions. Bad weather – non-stop rain – has been a challenge some years but in general, apart from Foot and Mouth and Covid, it has been a case of the show must go on.
“When Tullamore Show started up, we were a bit overawed by the scale of it and because it is so near but we got over that.
“We have an enthusiastic chairman in Pat Carroll and a great secretary in Garett Culleton. Maryrose Corbet, another longstanding member handles the finances and Paul Flanagan is PRO.”
Tickets for this year’s show are priced at €10, with children admitted free.
For more information and to enter competitions, visit clonasleeshow.com before the closing date for entries which is Friday, August 30.
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