Iverk & Bertie – What A Success!

BRIGHT sunshine and record crowds ensured that this year's Iverk Agricul­tural Show in Piltown was a resounding success.
Twenty thousand people flocked to the show which was officially opened by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
People from all over Ireland attended the event.
Stuart David travelled over from Wales to Piltown and described the event as one of the best agricultural shows he had ever seen.
"I have been to a lot of shows in the UK and this is one of the best ones I have seen. There is a very good variety of competitions. It is an inspiration to other shows," he said.
Mr David Stuart was in Piltown with his brother-in-law Noel Casey from Lemybrien in Waterford
The highlight of the show for many was getting the opportunity to meet An Taoiseach. "I shook hands with I him. He was very obliging with the public which was very impressive," said Stuart.
The Taoiseach took the opportunity to speak to the crowd about the Com­mon Agricultural Policy (CAP). He said he was annoyed at British Prime Minister Tony Blair's presentation of the issues surrounding the CAP because they were not factual.
"It is not valid to say that the cost of CAP absorbs too high an amount of EU budget and it is an argument made by my good friend and colleague, Tony Blair, but I have to say quite frankly he is wrong.
The Taoiseach was applauded when I he vowed to "stand by" CAP and Euro­pean farmers.

Arts and Crafts of all description attracted a lot of interest as did the appealing food halls.
As in previous years there was fierce competition amongst the ladies in the cherry cake baking competition.
There were 37 entrants with one brave man, Oliver Daunt from Tramore, taking on
the traditionally female entrants. How­ever it was Laura Grace from Piltown who wowed the judges with her winning recipe.

Other sections that attracted a lot of interest included the biggest marrow, the largest pumpkin, the largest pota­to, the giant potato and the largest sunflower.
"It has been a great day and it was fantastic to have Bertie down," said committee member Mary Ryan from Piltown who attended the show with her three sons; Ronan (7), Aidan (10) and Donal (11). "We had asked him down for the last few years so' we were honoured when he decided to make time to come down this year."

The Iverk Agricultural Show was very much a family day out with plen­ty of entertainment on hand to keep youngsters occupied. However. there was also a serious side to the show with entrants vying for a prize in the agricultural classes.

There was also stiff competition amongst the women at the show for the coveted title of best dressed lady. The overall winner was Marie McNi­cholls from Strand Road in Fiddown. Second prize went to Dawn Fannin from Monaghan, while Maura Duggan from Owning in Piltown was judged to be the third best dressed lady.


In the bonny babies competition the winners were Bryan Blackmore from Piltown,Cerys O'Toole from Piltown, and Sean Hickey from London who won the 13-18 month category.

Walter Welch, chairman of the Iverk Show told us that the event was a huge success story.
“The show started in 1826 to display our livestock and the produce of our land and to join in friendly rivalry," he said. "The show has since developed to become one of the biggest rural shows in the country. Credit for this is due to the dedicated committee members, our sponsors, our judges and of course our exhibitors."
The Kilkenny GAA Supporters Club together with the Confederation of Community Groups in South Kilkenny used the Show as an opportunity to inform people of Waterford City Council's attempt to take over part of South Kilkenny .
Over 500 people signed a petition at their stand which will be forwarded on to Paddy Power, the director of ser­vices in Waterford City Council. The Kilkenny People, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael also had similar petitions at the Show giving people an opportunity to voice their opposition to the local authority's move.
Turn to the Results pages for all the results in the numerous categories and events.
If you want the Iverk Show In Pictures click on the Picture Gallery tab to the left.