The sun shone brightly, the crowds turned out in great numbers, and fathers and families had a wonderful time celebrating Father’s Day at the recent Athlone Agri Show.
The event was held on the farm of Michael O’Donohoe, set in beautiful and tranquil surroundings, with the gentle waves of Lough Ree lapping just a field away.
The highlight of the Equine Section was the newly-introduced Athlone Mare and Foal Championship, sponsored by Jim Derwin Equestrian, with a prize fund of €5,000.
The husband and wife judges from England, Magnus and Kate Nicholson, were very impressed with the high standard of exhibits, and in the manner they were presented for adjudication.
After long deliberation, the Athlone Mare and Foal Championship was awarded to Paula Howard of Ballynahinch, Co Down, while Reserve Champion went to Pat Finn from Oranmore, Co Galway. Best Turned Out, sponsored by Wineport Lodge, went to Laura Foody from Co Sligo.
Another big attraction was the large entry in the sheep categories, catering for 12 different breeds, with the Belgian Beltex, Vendeen, Hampshire Down, Charollais, Texel, Irish Dutch Spotted all having their All-Irelands in glorious sunshine.
The Kepak Interbreed Championship went to a Texel Ram, the property of Tom Kenny from Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe.
The Bovine Section is growing year on year. The Overall Champion and the Vera Hynes Perpetual Cup (plus €300) went to Martin Davis from Ballinalee, Co Longford, with a Limousin Heifer.
The Poultry and Egg section is always a major attraction, and this year’s show introduced an exciting new innovation. This initiative, the brainchild of Oliver Flanagan of Moydrum Castle Poultry Farm, allowed the public to witness the adjudication of the birds first-hand.
The Champion Bird was exhibited by Aubrey Gilmartin, Swinford, Co Mayo, Reserve Champion Brid going to Tommy Butler, Banagher. In the Egg Section, local exhibitor Oliver Flanagan brought home multiples honours, including with Champion and Reserve Champion Egg.
The Super Dog Show once again attracted a huge entry of all breeds, large and small, with the Ellen Devery Perpetual Cup going to Kelly Halligan, Athlone and her dog ‘Dotty’.
*The committee extends sincere thanks and appreciation go all sponsors, chairperson, committee members and volunteers. Thank you for a fantastic day of entertainment.
