UPDATE - we are presently trying to secure an alternative date for our Show, and are in communication with The Irish Shows Association, our Landowners and Suppliers. July is a busy month for shows in this area and we are looking towards the end of July now. We are still hopeful of running and will issue an update as soon as a date is confirmed. We would ask that all competitors and trade stand applicants bear with us in the interim.
Following yesterdays decision to postpone Gorey Agricultural Show are liasing with The Irish Shows Association in an effort to secure a new date. We are hopeful that we will have positive news. We are conscious that we were to hold various qualifiers, we hope to be able to run these, and if not they will be redistributed to other shows. In the event of the date not suiting or indeed falling victim to the terrible weather again we will start the refund process. Gorey Show Committee are massively dissapointed that we had to postpone, as such an amount of work and organisation goes into all agricultural shows, but unfortunately the weather was the dictator in this case. Our advice to exhibitors at the moment is to be patient and wait for the Good News!
Entries are now open for Gorey Agricultral Show 2024. All entries are online with the exception of the dog show which can be entered online and on the day. Competitors who have attended before will be familiar with the system and their existing log in details can be used, new competitiors will have to set themselves up on the system.
Gorey Agricultural Show have launched the online schedule and entry system with the kind assistance of our Main Sponsor Tirlan in the Loch Garman Arms last week.
We are delighted to announce that we will be running our Scarecrow Competition again this year, we are delighted that Clone Agricultural Consultants will be sponsoring this marvellous competition for the 2nd year.
Great news from Department of Rural and Community Development and Heather Humphreys - we are thrilled to be included again this year. There are huge challenges involved in running agricultural shows and we are hugely grateful for this support. We would also like to thank Irish Shows Association for their continued help and assistance.
Huge thanks to Minister Heather Humphries and the Department of Rural and Community Development for allocating a huge €1 Million to 122 Agricultural Shows country wide. 2022 is proving to be a challenging year for outdoor events and these funds will help cover the additional costs that have arisen.
Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Thursday, 22nd June) announced funding of one million euro to support 122 Agricultural Shows right across the country.
The record single investment in our Agricultural Shows represents a 40 per cent increase on last year’s allocation.
The grants from the Department of Rural and Community Development will support Show committees in staging their events over the summer season.
Announcing the funding today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m delighted today to announce a record one million euro in funding to support 122 Agricultural Shows the length and breadth of the country. 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 shows are key dates in the summer calendar and are a central point for the agri-food industry, the farming community and our local artisan producers. These shows are also a fantastic family day out, where people come to catch up and enjoy a truly unique experience. With entries travelling from far and wide to compete, the local show has something to interest everyone through its wide range of activities and competitions.
I am delighted to increase the overall level of funding by 40 per cent this year, which I know will really help the organisers in ensuring the shows themselves are a great success. I want to thank and pay tribute to the Irish Shows Association, who I was delighted to meet in recent weeks to discuss their plans for the upcoming summer season.”
This year’s €1 million allocation brings the total allocated to Agricultural Shows since 2018 to almost €3.3 million.
The Department of Rural and Community Development will work with the Irish Shows Association to administer the Scheme for 2023.
Also welcoming the funding today, National Secretary of the Irish Shows Association, Jim Harrison, said: “I really welcome this investment from Minister Humphreys and her Department, which will greatly assist in the running of our Agricultural Shows. Our Agricultural Shows are so important in Rural Ireland for two reasons – their economic value and their social value. They bring great economic benefits to our rural towns and villages. And they also bring such social benefits – which can never be bought. I again want to thank Minister Humphreys and her Department and I encourage everyone to attend their local show this summer.”
Minister Humphreys continued: "I appreciate that without the effort of the local show committees, volunteers and local organisations, these shows would not be able to operate. This in itself is a testament to the great sense of community which remains a key feature of country life. This increased funding which I am announcing under ‘Our Rural Future’ will help to cover some of the operational costs associated with running these shows – costs which have increased in line with inflation. I’m delighted to once again work with the Irish Shows Association and I look forward visiting as many Shows as I can this summer.”
The National President of the ISA said "As President, I appreciate and I am also delighted the ISA has secured this financial assistance on behalf of our member shows. The incredible work by people involved helps to keep our rural identity both strong and vibrant. These volunteers have and continue to give their time for the betterment of their communities. We are indebted to Minister Heather Humphreys and The Department of Rural and Community Development for this package which will help "our rural future" to grow and thrive. I hope this relationship can continue in the future. Our shows are vital to the communities they represent, with great social ,cultural and economic benefits. I look forward to getting to as many events as I can over the summer to see these benefits in full."
We launched our 2023 show in the Show Field at Ashton, we were delighted to be joined by our main sponsor Tirlán, represented by Chairman John Murphy. Excitement is building for our show on the 17th June. Left to right Gorey Show President, Lorcan Allen, Secretary Melissa Blake, Tirlán Chairman John Murphy and our Chairman Willie Cecil.
Gorey Show are delighted to announce that Tirlan formerly Glanbia have very generously renewed their sponsorship for another year. Tirlan are synonomous with agriculture in Ireland and hae been a staple in the lives of most people for a long time. We thank especially John G Murphy, chairman of Tirlan for his continued support.
