Minister hails Tullamore Show's role in linking urban and rural life
Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Marine Martin Heydon has said that agricultural shows such as Tullamore Show play a vital part in exhibiting farming and all that goes with it, and are key connections between rural and urban communities.
The Minister was speaking at the annual Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show sponsors evening recently.
The event took place at the Old Warehouse Tullamore and was combined with the launch of the schedule of classes for 2025.
Minister Heydon also reminisced on interactions he has had over the years with Tullamore Show and especially his involvement with the Farm Safety Live Demo.
He also praised title sponsor FBD and all the other loyal sponsors.
Chairperson John Keena echoed this, stating that the show could not do without such support.“No matter how small or large the sponsorship is, it’s what helps us keep the show running.”
In particular, he thanked title sponsors FBD, landowners of the Butterfield Estate Anne Marie Butterfield and Stephen Mc Quade and other landowners who provided car parks and access areas to the site.
The chairman also outlined a number of new attractions to the show this year, including a display cow, sponsored by Cormac Tagging.
Tullamore Show will also host the first of its kind, a sustainable livestock village powered by hydrogen, in a collaboration with Offaly County Council and ESB.
Goats, Valais Blacknose Sheep and Fleckvieh cattle are also some new additions to the show, not to mention the VEX Robotics class in the Inventions section.
FBD Head of Sales Midlands and Western Region Pat Gilligan said: “FBD is proud to be the title sponsor of the Tullamore Show and the National Livestock Show. It is the highlight of the FBD’s busy summer calendar and one we look forward to each year. Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show is a wonderful reflection of all that is positive within Ireland’s livestock and farming sector. FBD are proud to be involved in the Sustainable Livestock Village with the ever popular FBD Speakers corner again this year."