Local singing legend to launch Athlone Agri Show

Roscommon folk and country singing legend and Angus beef farmer Brendan Shine will officially launch this year's Athlone Agri Show on Wednesday next, June 1 at 8pm in the Bounty.

Organisers are promising a fun day out for all the family on Sunday, June 19 in their new venue in Garnafailagh, Athlone, N37V252, just a stone's throw from the town.

While there won't be cattle classes this year, there will be a full range of sheep classes including four All-Ireland Championships, and a large number of horse and pony classes covering many RDS qualifiers, along with food craft, photography and art competitions. In addition, there will be a Midlands Food and Craft Fair, kids and adult entertainment and fun activities for all ages.

“Things are going well, the committee is working very and hard and is very dedicated. We're hoping as many people as possible come to the launch, and more importantly to the show itself on Sunday, June 19,” Chairperson Cllr John Dolan told the Westmeath Independent ahead of Wednesday's launch, joking that Brendan Shine might even sing a song on the night.

“We're hoping to have something for everyone on the day, urban and rural, and we are looking forward to our new venue which we had hoped to use three years ago but are only getting to now,” he said.

He thanked the 'Do You Want Your Oul Lobby Washed Down' singer who lives in nearby Taughmaconnell for agreeing to launch this year's show. Finger food and refreshments will be served on the night and all are welcome.

Brendan Shine, who is a Certified Irish Angus beef farmer, has spoken many times about combining his hugely successful music career with his love of farming and the outdoor life in rural Ireland.

In a profile on the Certified Irish Angus website, the South Roscommon native spoke of his pride in being one of 100,000 Certified Irish Angus farmers around the country and his love of that particular breed of beef.

“It’s lovely to have been born and reared and work in the open spaces of a farm,” he commented in the website profile. “It brings a great balance to my music career which has a lot of indoor work and nights. It’s a great life to bring up a family in nature and people learning about growth and the earth and the animals.”

For more information on the schedule, entries, and section coordinators or contacts please go to www.athloneshow.ie, email: Athlone.show@gmail.com or our Facebook page Athlone Agri Show for latest show updates.

The General Show Secretary is Padraig Higgins and he can be contacted by email: phigg7@hotmail.com or by calling 087 2185160.