Athlone Agri Show is back on the calendar in June
Athlone Agri Show's Chairperson is promising “a very good family day out” as the agricultural event returns after a two-year break on June 19 at a new venue.
Right on the edge of urban Athone, the show will be based this year on Michael Donoghue's farm at Garnafailagh, a location organisers are hoping will boost numbers turning out on the day as it's only minutes from the town.
“It's back and it's great to have it back,” Chairperson Cllr John Dolan remarked, adding that their committee is working hard behind the scenes to get everything ready. “It'll hopefully be a success and I hope it will be supported,” he added, acknowledging that businesses have had a tough time, and getting sponsorship won't be easy.
While there will not be cattle classes this year, there will be the All-Ireland sheep competitions and horse competitions, including RDS qualifiers, along with plenty of entertainment and sideshows for all ages.
Whether Athlone Agri Show would go ahead was totally uncertain right up to February, he said, so it's a quick turnaround for the committee who have been working tirelessly to get everything together because it's one of the first shows in the agricultural calendar countrywide.
“It's good to be back, thank god, it wasn't looking like we'd be hosting it all earlier in the year," said Cllr Dolan. “We'd be hopeful that the cattle will return in some form in the future,” he pointed out.
Such a large-scale event so close to town does need volunteers, and he appealed to people from all backgrounds to come forward to help out. “We're looking for plenty of volunteers – we are a small committee – so we are going to need all the help we can get. We can't do it on our own. “We need help in all areas. A lot of work is needed to make the event happen,” the Chairperson explained as part of an appeal for people to come forward.
He had very special thanks to supporters and sponsors who make the show happen, none more so that Michael Donoghue and his family who are providing the showgrounds, two years after they were originally due to host the event in 2020. The family has a long involvement in the Athlone Agri Show, and it's brilliant to see that link continue, Cllr Dolan pointed out, saying Michael himself is very excited about the prospect.
Anyone who can help the committee on the day or getting the site ready or with entries should get in touch with a member of the executive – Chairperson Cllr John Dolan, Vice-Chairperson PJ Coghill, Secretary Padraig Higgins or Joint Treasurers David Fenton and John McCann.