Electric atmosphere at Cappamore Show with record attendance

CAPPAMORE Show may have been vying with Electric Picnic this Saturday but the energy in east Limerick was more than a match for Stradbally.

Organisers of the 68th agricultural show never stay static and had a stellar line-up of attractions this year. They were rewarded with a record attendance.

A stage featured a musical line-up that had the crowds up dancing and line dancing.

The Hynan school of Irish dancing - including the Twomey sisters, Cara, 9, Isla, 5 and Freya, 9, from Old Pallas (pictured above) - wowed the crowds. 

The music mixed in with cattle bawling, horses neighing and screams of joy from children enjoying the amusements.

One attraction they didn't have this year sadly, which had become a fixture since 2020, was Liam MacCarthy. However, many youngsters including Daniel McGuire, aged 6, from Murroe, were wearing Limerick jerseys. 

The weather can make or break a show but this year the Gods smiled on the Cappamore Show. When parking up the person on the tannoy said, "We're lucky because it won't rain today". Well, that wasn't strictly true as a squally shower did blow in but it quickly passed. Carl the magician was asked to ensure there was no more rain and abracadabra he delivered.

John McCarthy had a baptism of fire in 2023 in his first year as show chairperson. After torrential rain on the night before the show it was touch and go whether to go ahead or not. The grounds were sodden but today you could wear stilettos if you were so inclined. The only wellingtons on display were in the decorated welly section of the children's craft section.

"You interviewed us last year and we were under serious pressure with the weather, so, thank God, a year brings a big change. You were in your waterproof gear last year, and you're in shorts this year so that's a good sign. 

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"We had a great week running into it, which we hadn't last year, and we have a super day today. Long may it continue. We're delighted we had the people turn out again today to support us - patrons, cattle exhibitors, horse showing people, and everybody involved in the exhibits and trade sheds," said Mr McCarthy,

Without a doubt, he said, the crowds are definitely up.

"I was down at the main gate for a while and the lads said it was very positive. The flow of people is definitely very strong so I'd say we're going to have a very big crowd," said Mr McCarthy, who was speaking in the cattle section.

One of many young winners in the rings was Aoife Hannon, aged 9, from Croagh (pictured below) who claimed the under-10 young stockperson title.

When asked what set her apart, the modest young lady said there was stiff competition and praised her dad's commercial heifer. The Hannans were busy as all Mike and Jenny's four children - Tadgh, Eilis and Micheal love showing cattle.

The dog show was also hotly contested with canines everywhere.

Ciara Walsh, Kildimo and three year-old daughter Mary had their hands full with their giant Irish Wolfhounds - Hamish and Moose. But even they were dwarfed by a gorgeous Clydesdale.

The Clydesdale breed has largely died out due to the advent of horsepower and tractors but are a reminder of the hard work of farmers following them as they ploughed fields.

The Cappamore Show started in 1954 and Mr McCarthy spoke of honouring the legacies of those that went before them and put their shoulder to the wheel.

This year's event proved yet again that there is no sign of Cappamore Show dying out, a fate that has sadly befallen other shows around the country.

See this week's Limerick Leader for more from the day and lots of photos