All things considered, this summer hasn’t been a bad one weather-wise, and it was almost a foregone conclusion that Sunday August 22nd—the day of the ninth Annual Claregalway Agricultural Show would be fine. However, no matter how organised a show can be, the weather is always unpredictable until the day arrives. The morning wasn’t bad, but the afternoon turned out very wet. The pony and horse exhibitors didn’t seem to be affected, and entries in this section were the best to date for Claregalway Show.
The cattle and sheep sections were down slightly but the quality of the exhibits in the sheep classes were of a very high standard. Thanks to the excellent facilities available to the show in Duffys Equestrian Centre, the committee were able to move the dog show indoors when the heavy rain arrived.
There was great competition in this section also with the Champion Dog of the Show owned by Alfie Earls from Limerick.
Rain didn’t dampen the high spirits of the Donkey Derby participants as they galloped around the track. After several stewards enquiries Geoghegan’s from Ardrahan were declared the outright winners.
The Show Queen, Ms. Deirdre Conneely from Carnmore, looked elegant and beautiful, adorned with her sash and tiara. She presided over the presentation of the prizes during the day. Entries were up in the indoor exhibits of the domestic arts. There was great competition in the Home Baking section and it was nice to see a lot of the prizes go to local participants—for some it was their first time to enter in the show—hidden talent all these years!
Some of the local winners were Bernadette Long, Kinska, Brid Conneely, Carnmore, Peggy Duffy, Waterdale, Mary Finnerty,Rockwood, Carol McKiernan, Lydican, to name but a few.
Congratulations to one and all. The standard in all classes was very high again this year and there was a lovely display of Decoupage and Oil Paintings to be viewed. Several of these entries were from local exhibitors and the committee would like to thank them for supporting the show. Judges were impressed by the high standard of the show, the hospitality they received and they congratulated the committee on the organisation.
Best Dressed Lady Award went to Noreen Geoghegan from Lavally, Tuam whose son, Ian, also won in the Junior Mister Competition.
Chairman Paul Fleming, would like to thank everybody who assisted in any way with the organisation and running of the show, and special thanks to all who turned up on Saturday and Monday to help out. Thanks too, to the exhibitors who turned out in large numbers and the show’s many sponsors, without whose support there would be no show. Despite the rain, the committee were pleased with the overall show.
Carmel Casserly
