As a native of Tullamore I have been attending the local agricultural show for about 20 of its 25 years. Along with everyone else in the area, I wept with frustration the two years the show was cancelled due to flooding and wondered how it would fare in its new home in Screggan. Thankfully, the move to the Butterfield estate has been a success.
Over the years I have been called upon to help out in various capacities, from being a scout for the bonny baby competition to being a judge in the photography sections. One year I even participated in, and won, the wacky wellies competition.
My involvement with Tullamore Show is all down to the persuasive powers of an old friend, Carmel Duffy. For all 25 years of the show, she has been the co-ordinator of the fashion element, with a remarkable talent for “encouraging” local shops and businesses to sponsor and support the various categories from Bonny Baby and Young Mr/Ms Offaly to Best Dressed Lady, Glamorous Granny and Traditional Farmer.
It has been heartening to see the show grow from strength to strength. Each year I return home to see more and more people arrive the night before to make a weekend of it.
Although the show is spread out over many acres, there is a grid-like layout so it is easy to find people. It is even easier to lose them. One year I lost my four-year old daughter for the longest 20 minutes of my life.
This year my role was “upgraded” to MC of the fashion competitions – I met every Bonny Baby and spoke with each of the Young Mr Offaly and Young Ms Offaly contestants.
Then it was on to a whirlwind of interviews on stage with each of the Best Dressed Ladies and the Best Dressed Gents before concluding my duties with the very jovial Traditional Farmers and the exceedingly Glamorous Grannies.
No wonder it’s one of the biggest events in the country calendar.
