Huge crowds confirm Saturday as best day for Iverk Show
Organisers of the Iverk Agricultural Show have decided to make the event's move to the last Saturday in August permanent following the record crowds it attracted last weekend.
Such was the huge turnout to the 184th show at Piltown Showgrounds near Carrick-on-Suir that its car parks were full by lunch time forcing the organisers to open extra car parking to accommodate the afternoon visitors.
This was the first year the show was officially set for a weekend date. It was held on a Saturday last week after bad weather forced the cancellation of the show on its traditional day of the first Thursday in September.
The good weather contributed to the huge turnout of visitors to what is the South East's largest agricultural shows attracting competitors from all over country.
They came to see the best in agricultural livestock, produce, showjumping, equine breeding, horticulture and homebaking as well as browse around the many arts, crafts and 150 trade stands dotted throughout the showgrounds.
Other attractions included the dog show, that even featured a fancy dress class, two fashion shows held in a marquee that also hosted the Most Apprioriately Dressed Lady and Bonny Baby competitions, a music stand where five bands performed throughout the day, a fun fair section and garden displays.
Show President Joe Malone said there was an increase in entries in all competitions as well as trade stands. Such was the increase in entries in the horse and pony jumping that the competitions didn't finish until 9pm after 12 hours of activity.
Former GAA President Sean Kelly, who is now a Fine Gael MEP, officially opened the show and in his speech he updated farmers on the progress of the Single Farm Payment negotiations in Brussels.
Minister for Children Barry Andrews was another high profile guest. He presented prizes to children at the garden and family plaza throughout the afternoon.
The main honours of the Show went to competitors from ever corner of the country. The Broodmare and Foal Team Championship was won by Derry Rothwell from Tinahely in Co. Wicklow; Sean O'Brien from Burnfort, Co. Donegal won the Bank of Ireland Iverk Champion award in the Cattle Section; while the showjumping Grand Prix was won by Trevor Breen.
The Iverk Great Cherry Competition was won by Aisling Nolan from Dunmore East; the Most Attractive Trade Stand award was presented to Standish Sawmills, Carlow and Most Appropriately Dressed Lady prize was won by Betty Byrne, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny.
Co. Tipperary livestock and equine breeders were prominent among the prize winners.
In cattle, Trevor and Edward Dudley of Kilsunny House, Tipperary won the Hereford Champion class, John and Ann Searson from Roscrea won the Belgian Blue Champion class, James Kirby from Castle Lane, Carrick-on-Suir won the Blonde d'Aquitaine Champion class while the Limousin Champion class was won John and Tom Hickey.
Sheep breeders Edward and Paul O'Gorman from Ballyporeen; John Taylor from Barna, Thurles and James, Alicia, Barth and Margaret O'Keeffe from Gortnahoe won prices in the sheep classes while in the pony show classes Margaret Greene from Cloneen won the Howley Trophy.
A full list of the prize winners at the Iverk Show is available on its website: www.iverkshow.com.
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Weather for Clonmel
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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