Late Limerick woman remembered at dog show with plaque in her memory

“THE MESSAGE behind this plaque is the very same as the show: Genuine, community friendship”. The words of Sam Milburn, who presented a plaque in his late wife's name at the Cappamore Show on Saturday. 

Sam and his wife Mary were just about to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary when she passed away in March of this year. 

The devoted couple had been together for 47 years after meeting in Abergavenny, Wales.

The husband and wife moved back to Mary's native Patrickswell in 1998 where they had resided since. 

Having attended the Cappamore Show since 2013, Sam decided that the best way to honour his late wife was to donate a plaque in her name to be awarded in the Confined Class at the dog show. 

“Mary was an animal lover and was very passionate about dogs.

“She hated cruelty of any kind, especially against animals. 

“I was delighted to be able to honour her in this way. The plaque is for the Confined Class, which means only local dogs can be entered”. 

The Bristol native told the Limerick Leader that it was “very emotional” to hand over the trophy to the winners, but that it was also “lovely”. 

“I had an inscription on the shield with the names of our three dogs: Benny, Buster and Barney. 

“I felt great pride and satisfaction out of handing over the trophy to Maria and Mike, who's Jack Russell Terrier, Luna, won the class”.

Sam continued: “They were delighted to win it.

“It was evident that the dog was well looked after which Mary was very particular about. Her qualities and what the show stands for really go together.

“I spoke from the heart when handing over the plaque and the crowd appreciated the gesture”.

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The proud husband declared that he could not let 47 years of being with his wife pass without marking it with something tangible.

“She had an aneurysm in 2011 and I have been her carer since then.

“Just before Covid-19 started she got double pneumonia and she spent seven weeks in the regional. 

“People keep asking me am I getting used to her not being around but I don't think I will ever get used to it”.

As well as the plaque, Sam also donated a bench in memory of his beloved Mary in St Mary's New Cemetery, Patrickswell, where she is laid to rest. 

Despite the wet weather on the day, thousands of people attended the show which Sam said was a “fantastic day” all round.

“I was surprised at the crowds, there was an enormous crowd there.

“I looked across the show field after the rain had finished in the afternoon and there was hardly any space between the spectators. It was lovely to see.

“The committee had made provisions for the bad weather. They really looked after all the spectators. There was a great atmosphere and it is always a really friendly show. It is like one big happy family out there”.

Sam brought one trophy with him to the show and left with another as his homemade bread won him the first place prize in the Traditional Irish soda bread competition.

“It was a fantastic day and an amazing experience. I couldn't believe it when I saw that I won. I was on cloud nine, up in the stratosphere”.