Sept. 11, 1897

On last Tuesday, by the kind permission of Viscount Duncannon, the Seventy-first annual show of horses, cattle, sheep, etc. under the auspices of the Iverk Fanning Society, came off in the Bessborough Demense at Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, and was, unlike its immediate predecessor, happily favoured with most delightful weather, but not with quite so large an attendance.

The exhibits, however, were more numerous than those of last year and of better quality and all the arrangements in connection with the show, which was certainly of a highly successful character, were simply perfect.

The judging in the various departments was most satisfactorily and ably carried out during the day, and the usual satisfaction was given by Mr. Walter Bishop, Waterford's well-known and popular caterer, who had on the grounds a luncheon and a ladies' tea tent, The St. Joseph's (Juvenile) Brass Band of Ferrybank. Clonmel, was in attendance, and under the able guidance of Mr. W. Reilly, acquitted itself in a most praiseworthy manner.

The Jumping Competition, the most attractive feature of the show, was of a very interesting and pleasant character, and witnessed by a large assemblage of spectators, Mr. Martin Murphy, J.P. the genial proprietor of the Waterford and Tramore Racecourses, presented a silver cup, value £10 -10s - 0d, for the best performer of four years old and upwards in addition to the Society's prizes, as did also Mr. John R. Anthony, for the best performer of fours old and under.

In the donkey competition only four animals put in an appearance, and in the opinion of the judge three of them were very creditable specimens of the common breed of the country. The introduction of a Spanish jack into the neighbourhood would be a great advantage, as the donkeys, although smart and good, are, decidedly undersized.

The judges were highly pleased with the cows and heifers exhibited, and a distinct improvement was noticed when compared with former Nears.

The sheep exhibited in all classes were very good, particularly the breeding ewes belonging to Mr. Thomas Dunne, of Ballyhenebery, Piltown, to whom the judges (Messrs. Patrick Nolan and Patrick Barden) awarded first and second prizes.

The pigs were judged by Messrs. P. Henneberry and G. Gilligan of Waterford, and for the best bacon pig (white breed) suitable for Bacon curers' purposes they awarded first prize to Mr. James Donovan of Dowling, Piltown, and second was given to Mr. Thomas Duane of Ballyhenebry. All the classes inspected appeared to have a tendency for fat and the judges were of opinion that a change in breed would be an improvement to feeder and curer alike.

The butter was judged by Mr. John Ryan, J.P. Waterford, who pronounced all the samples to be very good. Turkeys were good; geese fair; and fowl poor. The green crops, notwithstanding an unfavourable season were productive and remarkably well cultivated. There was a good show of roots but competition very poor.

The apples, exhibited were the finest seen this year, both for variety and quality. Flowers - there were very few entries and not much taste shown. No second prize was awarded in the first class, and in the second class, owing to a deficiency of merit, only a second prize was given. For the best kept and cultivated orchard Mr. Nicholas Coghlan, of Jamestown, Piltown, was awarded first prize.

(The Waterford News - 1897)