A message from Cllr Tom Crosby, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council
As Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, I am delighted to have this opportunity to formally acknowledge the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Roscommon Agricultural & Industrial Show.
The first Roscommon Show (in its current guise) was held in July of 1970, following great foresight by a group of local people. Now, after two years of inactivity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 50th annual show will be held on August 20th next. What a great milestone this is.
On behalf of all the people of our great county, I want to extend a very sincere congratulations to the many selfless people who, through their combined efforts, have succeeded in making Roscommon Show one of the most successful in the entire country. In congratulating the current committee, I also want to acknowledge the toil of all their predecessors, stretching back to 1970. It is important also to pay tribute to the tremendous dedication and commitment of thousands of volunteers who have made such an important contribution to the running of Roscommon Show over the past half-century.
Agriculture is of enormous important to County Roscommon and to rural Ireland generally. As a community, we are indebted to the role played by everyone involved in the farming industry. It is a major driver of the local economy, providing employment, maintaining livelihoods for our thousands of farm families, generating critical economic activity too, with significant spin-offs for businesses across our towns and villages.
The annual show is an opportunity for farmers to showcase their animals, which in Roscommon’s case, are consistently amongst the finest in the country. It is an opportunity too for people to showcase the quality of local farm produce, as well as arts and crafts. It’s a fun event too, where all the family is catered for. At its heart is a commitment to celebrating our culture, our traditions.
Covid-19 took its toll on society in many different ways. The cessation of community events such as the annual agricultural show was a body blow to all. It is wonderful to have such events back.
On August 20th, everyone associated with Roscommon Agricultural Show will rightly celebrate the 50th anniversary of this great community event.
Once again, I congratulate the current committee (led by chairperson Damien Hannon), all who served on previous committees (many of whom have gone to their eternal reward, and whom we remember), all volunteers, and indeed all who have participated and helped in any way over the years. On behalf of the people of Roscommon, congratulations to all concerned on a great milestone – and here’s to the next 50 years!
