Government announces record investment for agricultural shows across Ireland

MINISTER for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys, has announced funding of €1 million to support 122 agricultural shows across the country.

The investment, announced this Thursday, represents a 40% increase on last year’s allocation and brings the total of overall investments to €3.3 million. 

The Department of Rural and Community Development says it will work with the Irish Shows Association to administer the Scheme.

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, Minister Humphreys said: “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.”

Welcoming the funding today, National Secretary of the Irish Shows Association, Jim Harrison, said: “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. They also bring such social benefits, which can never be bought.”