The Saturday Iverk Show
The new Saturday Iverk Show again had a fantastic attendance with gate numbers up 10 percent last weekend.
With lots more family all attractions and music, plus the
nonwork day, the show seems to go from strength to strength.
The new garden section and expanded amount of food and trade stands meant that it was a sell out for traders.
The traditional horse jumping and cattle arenas still proved very popular.
The organisers reckon that there was a great turnout from all over the South Eastern counties and further afield.
Minister for Children, Barry Andrews, T.D., from Dublin, is now becoming a regular here with his young family. He was very impressed with the event on his second visit. The happy relaxed atmosphere at the Show really appealed to him.
Seán Kelly, Fine Gael, MEP,opened the Show.
In his address he advocated a return to traditional hard working values that exist in the farming and rural community. He came from a farming background himself in Kerry and still has a home on a farm.
Farming could lead economic recovery and it was important that farmer interests were maintained in the forthcoming EU CAP negotiations, he stressed.
Strong forces are lobbying against farmers, and Mr. Kelly felt the Eurozone countries should have a different price support due to costs than non Euro nations in the EU.
Seán, who is part of the Christian Democrat group, which is the largest in the European Parliament, added that newer member states wanted more cohesion fund money and less spent on farmer supports.
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Chairman's pride
Chairman of Iverk Show. Walter Walsh, described his pride to be involved in the oldest show in Ireland, going back over 170 years.
Catherine Connery, chairperson for Kilkenny County Council, praised the 250 volunteers associated with the show and without whose work the show would not take place, creating an impressive number of events with their talented organisation.
It was a sign of the generosity of spirit that creates that great tradition.
The new plaza at the show had great appeal to new visitors and regulars to the show.
In her younger days, she was an exhibitor at the cattle events.
Seán Kelly also praised the social dimension of the Show and how rural attitudes need to be found again in the country. He noted the volatility in farm incomes, but still farmers are surviving.
Having your own farm means the best possible life, he felt. The agricultural industry is vital for Ireland and it is time to put on 'the green jersey'. In a period of climate change, Ireland produces food in an eco-friendly manner.
We are ahead of the game, he said, in green farming, but the worry is that too many young people are not taking up farming with just 7.5 per cent under 35 years.
We need to go back to our roots and encourage young people back into farming.
It was the first show, he opened, which made him most proud.
The Bishop of Cashel and Ossory, The Most Reverend Michael Burrows, gave the blessing for the Show.
In his address he for prayers for Niger and Pakistan, where there is great hunger and suffering.
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Huge turnout
The great turnout at the Show was fantastic.
Bill Slockett, committee member in charge of the food tent, said his stand holders were really happy and they had a special bagholding facility for overburdened shoppers at the show.
Norbert Thul, ex Ardree and Faithlegg pastry chef and lecturer in WIT, was there with his sauce business based in Dunhill and he was happy with returns.
Bob Murphy of CHI Environmental, Grannagh, Kilmacow was pleased with the level of enquiries at the show, they are involved in the waste business but now converting materials to road materials and getting some interest.
At the poultry section, there was a brand new area created with the energy and enthusiasm of Catherine and Jenny Nolan. They got a terrific response with 133 exhibitors.
Various breeds of chickens were there including Dutch, Rhode Island Reds, Peking, Copper Stars, and even rare ones like Water Fowl and Sumatra from Indonesia were on show. Anne Flanagan from Tramore was delighted with the event and was one exhibitor.
Newcomers could buy a chicken coop from Alan O'Dwyer, who had a good show with the timber garden equipment. His €250 round tables were selling well as were the chicken coops at the same price.
The €900 play homes were also popular and had customers from all over the South East for his Carrick On Suirbased business..
Marley Irish was happy with her art sales and her
'five-in-a-row' Kilkenny painting was attracting much interest.
We met some young people who really liked the entertainment, cattle and show jumping and asked for a special mention: they are Marina Kelly, Kilmoganny and her friends Emily O'Dwyer, Michaela Kenneally, Katie Dunphy and Julie Malone.
They enjoyed the Saturday event for the social occasion as well as the musical talent.
Joe Malone
President Joe Malone, was very satisfied and glad that the weather remained fine.
Gardai were kept very busy handling traffic, a lorry was involved in an accident at the Tower side of the new Carrick road with firemen putting sand on the road to soak up the oil. Car parks were full, but traffic did keep moving.
Well done to the organisers for another great show.
(Edited from The Munster Express, 3rd Sep., 2010)
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