Farming community upbeat at launch of Moate Show

By David Flynn

There was an upbeat atmosphere among the committee and supporters of Moate Show last Thursday night as one of Ireland's oldest agricultural shows was officially launched in the Grand Hotel.

The show will take place on Sunday August 23, at the showgrounds (beside AB Oil) in Moate.

The show which dates to 1839 was celebrated with a panel conversation hosted by MJ Clery, who presents the farming programme on Midlands 103. Reggie Mitchell of the National Vegetable Society of Ireland told the gathering that this is the fourth year the vegetable championship has been held in Moate.

“This year there will be 18 categories and all aspects will be covered, carrots, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and it’s a showpiece of what can be grown and the efforts that people will go to grow a carrot four foot long, a parsnip five foot long, and an onion twelve to fourteen-pound weight, and that's what it's all about, to show what can be grown,” said Reggie Mitchell.

The Vegetable Society man said that it has been a challenging year, with hot weather, and he said that it'll be more challenging now because they’ve been told they can't use a hose.

“So, I say it in front of a lot of farmers, we could do with some rain,” he said.

“The farmers could do with it too!” quipped Michael Scott, Chairman of Moate Show to some laughter.

Clonbonny native, Richard O’Brien from Westmeath IFA praised the Moate Show committee for their energy and commitment.

“From the farming side of things we need more of that energy and the rural shows are ideal for groups like yourselves to come together to show the non-farm people how the whole thing works and the camaraderie,” said Richard O’Brien. “One of the challenges farming is facing at the moment is trying to get young people on board and take over when the older generation are finishing up and it's a tough challenge there. Farming is a great occupation and a great way of life.”

He further praised Moate Show by saying it’s not over commercialised and it’s a huge location on the edge of the main road.

“The likes of yourselves drive it on year after year, and I take my hat off to you,” he said.

He said that organisations like the IFA is run by volunteers from branch level to county level, and volunteers are important in running shows like the one in Moate, and there is a great community spirit involved.

Sean Kilkenny from the Irish Angus Cattle Society spoke about the developing partnership between the show and the society.

“2025 was our first year here, and it proved very successful and there's up to about €40,000 in prizes, with four more classes, heifer classes,” said the Cavan man. “Competitors come from all over Ireland to it, and it’s a great showcase for everyone that's interested in Angus. It’s a fine location in the centre of Ireland, easy to get to, suits everybody.

MJ introduced Cllr. Tom Farrell by commenting about his past status as a Department of Agriculture inspector, and being a farmer and councillor.

The Fine Gael councillor talked about seeing both sides in agriculture, and when he joined the department in 1971, people were getting ready for Ireland to join the EEC in 1973.

“I think young people is the key to the future of farming in Ireland, and it's how you sell it, and it's just great to see there recently that some of the departments talked about people getting weekends off and getting allowances for retirements and I think there should be a lot more of that.”

The Westmeath councillor said that Moate is famous in the cattle section, in pedigree, and breeding.

“It has a great name, and hence the show, and to go to the show in Moate, you’ll see all the community come together, rural and townspeople all mixed together,” said Cllr. Farrell. “You have all the local crafts, you have the home industries, and you have everything there at hand, and it's a lovely, lovely show.”

He talked about elderly people in farming, and how they keep farming life going, but he said there should be more importance put on people to make wills, something which shows can help with.

He added that he had also recently encouraged the HSE to work with agricultural shows nationwide to tackle the issue of rural suicide. The Westmeath councillor also talked about the cost of running Moate Show, and said at the end of the day, all the people involved are volunteers.

“Grants are very important, and it costs about €90,000 to run Moate show before you start, but the way you do it is you do it right,” said Cllr. Farrell. “The insurance is pretty hefty, and you get some grants, and some from the county council, but I suppose as a council we would probably have to start fighting more for rural organisations and rural people to get more grants.

Pairic McNeill, committee member and former Chairman of Moate show reminisced about the Covid years, when the show was closed down, but how it bounced back to larger numbers the following year.

He also has fond memories of shows in the 70s and 80s, including a time when the show used to take place on a Wednesday!

“The schools would all take a half day on a Wednesday and some of the shops would close on the day in the town, and it was a local event and a family day out,” said Pairic.

Michael Scott, current Moate Show chairman finished the launch night by welcoming the Angus Society to the show again this year. “We had a very good, successful show last year with them and I hope they have as good a year this year,” he said, thanking the sponsors and committee.