Extra department funding for local agricultural shows welcomed

Local councillor John Dolan has welcomed the increased grant allocation for agricultural shows.

Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys last week announced funding of €1m to support 122 agricultural shows right across the country.

The record single investment represents a 40 per cent increase on last year’s allocation and sees both Moate and Athlone Shows receiving €9,205.

The grants from the Department of Rural and Community Development will support show committees in staging their events over the summer season.

"Minister Humphreys has always been a great supporter of our agricultural shows, but this year her department has increased the funding to the extent that both Athlone and Moate agricultural shows will receive over €9,000 in a grant as part of a major increase in funding to the shows nationally," said Cllr Dolan

"I want to thank the Shows Association and Minister Humphryeys for this important level of funding. It makes sure that the Athlone and Moate shows can be held and can pay our bills.

“I am Chairman of Athlone Agri Show and we had one of our most successful shows to date, with well in excess of 5,000 attending from all around the country with people from overseas also," he continued.

"This is just the latest demonstration of this Government's commitment to farming and indeed rural Ireland and we are lucky to have a Minister like Heather Humphreys who endeavors to give all the support she can and hopefully she will continue to do so," he concluded.

Minister Humphreys said: “Our agricultural shows sum up all that is good about rural Ireland. They are intrinsically linked to that sense of community that our rural towns and villages are known for.

The Department works with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to administer and distribute financial supports to each Show.

The ISA is the official recognised body representing Irish agricultural shows on the island of Ireland.