Sunshine and huge crowds make Athlone Agri-Show the best yet

This year"s Athlone Agri-Show was 'possibly our best show to date, weather-wise, crowd-wise and exhibitor-wise' according to chairman Michael Flanagan. Up on 15,000 people attended the Agri-Show at Gaffey"s Farm in Moydrum on a beautiful summer"s day last Sunday, the seventh year of the show in that location. The weather, as always, played a significant factor in the show"s success, but farmers, breeders, families and locals turned up in droves to see the various events, judging shows and entertainment that was on offer throughout the day. 'All in all, it was a great family day out. There was plenty of entertainment for the families, it was well-enjoyed,' said Michael. He said that part of the success of the show is the venue. 'It"s all about location, location, location, it"s a huge factor that it"s so easily accessible. You"re in and out with no delays,' he added. 'The standard in the cattle section was exceptional and the feedback after from exhibitors was that they were extremely happy,' said Michael. 'The quality of animals in the commercial section was absolutely superb... The horses were also a tremendous success.' There was a huge turnout for the Breeders Championship, which was won by Derry Rockwell, who will go on to compete in the 2009 RDS Breeders Championship. And as always, the bovine section was hugely popular, with 89 classes that also included many qualifiers for the National Livestock Show. Exhibitors were also full of praise for the new roadway that leads from the Moydrum Road to the new off-load area of Gaffey"s Farm, which is will keep the ground solid, especially on wet mornings, and so was a big plus for those off-loading animals. Michael said that one of the reasons why there were so many entrants to the various categories, especially in the bovine and equine sections, compared to last year could be down to the fact that this time last year, more people were working weekends and didn"t have the time to enter these kind of shows. 'A lot of part-time farmers maybe now have been laid off in the building industry and people are now able to come back and exhibit,' he said. And thoughts are already turning to next year"s show, which will have a better lay-out according to Michael. 'We"re thinking or re-organising and relocating a lot of the family entertainments, part of the sheep section and also relocate different trade stands to different areas, make it more accessible. We had more trade stands this year and with more variety. They"ll have a better lay-out next year,' he said. As chairman, Michael thanked the main sponsors of the Athlone Agri-Show - Athlone Town Council, AIB, Ulster Bank, Kepak and Michael Moore Car Sales, all the local sponsors, the stewards on the day, the show"s secretaries and coordinators, all the committee, local media and the Gardaí.