The Late Great
Gerry O'Donoghue
(1911 - 1999)

(Extract from the 2000 Catalogue)

This will be the first year (2000) that the Show will be held since the 1950's without the great Gerry O'Donoghue, the legendary Show secretary.

Sadly, he passed away in November last year, aged 88 years.

He was secretary for forty years, Gerry was a school teacher by profession and was known in show circles the length and breadth of Ireland.

The love of his life was the Iverk Show and he was one the key members in organising the show each year, taking entries sponsorship and trade stands and keeping the Iverk Show on the road through thick and thin.

He was a great publicist and struck a great rapport with the late J.J. Walsh through whom he got much publicity.

Gerry was progressive by nature and backed expansion plans, such as the acquisition of the showgrounds, which was a lifetime ambition.
He will be best remembered as a great administrator and a unique character known the length and breadth of the country.

He was presented with a special award by the Irish Shows Association for unique service to the Irish Shows.

His motto was:

"If it wasn't for the last minute, nothing would be done."

And, to the chronically late entrant, he might say:

"Good man! You're first in for next year's Show!"