All systems go for Cappamore Show on August 18
Keelin Hammersley, Lackabeg, Cappamore on Princess at last years show. (Picture: Dermot Lynch)
KEELIN Hammersley, pictured, was dressed as a wizard at last year’s Cappamore Show and organisers hope she can cast a spell on the weather.
Over 10 shows have been cancelled - the latest being the North Tipperary Agricultural Show in Nenagh on Monday - due to unsuitable ground conditions.
However, Cappamore Show is blessed with excellent land thanks to the Gleeson and Taaffe families and it is all systems go for Saturday, August 18.
This will be the 58th Cappamore show and secretary for 53 of those years has been Paddy Ryan “Luke”.
He says the ground conditions are holding up well despite it being the wettest summer on record. Mr Ryan is hoping for a few fine days and Met Eireann are forecasting exactly that at the end of the week.
Entries in all sections are very strong this year and crowds are expected to be up as well for their second ever show on a Saturday.
Three thousand more than normal turned up in 2011 after the move from their traditional Wednesday. The sun beat down and umbrellas were only used to prevent sunburn.
Mr Ryan is hoping for more of the same on August 18 for what is one of the biggest one day agricultural shows in Munster. This is accomplished by the show committee of over 100. They ensure that all the classes and sections - cattle, horses and ponies, show jumping, cookery, carriage driving, arts and crafts, cookery, vegetable produce, fruit, dog show, bonny baby, fashion and more - are organised to a tee. At the launch in Hayes Bar, Jimmy McCarthy, show president and the last link to the founding members, said the show continues to be “dynamic”.
They are always coming up with new and original ideas and just one of them this year is a scarecrow class. Instead of scaring away, the class aims to attract the creatively minded to design their own scarecrow not exceeding five foot high and five foot wide.
There is extra prize money for the winner and it is kindly sponsored by Mike and Anna Gleeson, from Kilteely.
Mike said they came up with the idea after seeing a number of original designs in the fields of County Limerick and thought it would be a good idea to sponsor a class. For all show classes and entry information log on to www.cappamoreshow.ie or contact 061-38144. Note the entries in the cattle and horse section close this Friday, August 10.
It costs €90,000 to host the one day show and as money is scare, new treasurer PJ Blackwell, is quick to thank old and new sponsors.
Chairperson of the show, Marie Hayes, says simply “we wouldn’t have a show without sponsors”.
Tom Allen, Munster Show Association, says there is something special about Cappamore Show.
“It is great to see all the young people involved. They are proud of their community and want to make a contribution,” said Mr Allen.
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Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
