Busy day ahead at agricultural show

From 7.30am, the powerwashers will be hosing down cattle, and then the generators will kick in, so farmers can begin blow-drying the livestock.
“No, seriously: they need all the muck washed off them after being transported here,” says Joe Henson, with nods of confirmation from Paddy Donnelly and Michael McDonnell, as they describe the care with which exhibitors will prepare their animals for this Sunday’s Mullingar Agricultural Show at the showgrounds at Culleen.
Sunday may see the competitors up and about early - but in the intervening days, the action will be on the part of the diligent committee behind the Mullingar Agricultural Show – as there have been already over the past few weeks, preparing the grounds for the thousands who will descend on it come Sunday.
On Saturday, when the Westmeath Examiner dropped by, Joe, Paddy and Michael were hard at work in the cattle arena building the show rings.
Elsewhere, Andrew Bannon was sorting out the platform from which the public speaking system will operate; Tom Moore, who oversees the trade stands, was tidying a flower bed, while his wife Agnes, with Jean Nolan, was scrubbing down the tables on which art works, craftworks, fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, jams and delicious home-baked produce will all be placed, ready for inspection by a team of critical adjudicators – and then an equally discerning general public.
Just in time to sate their longing for a decent cup of tea, Maureen Gaynor pulled in with teabags and sandwiches.
There’s an air of anticipation building as the team work their way methodically through the long list of tasks that are involved in staging a mammoth event like the show.
And it is mammoth: cattle, horses, sheep, goats – even poultry: there are competitions for all of these. There’s showjumping – always popular with audiences; dog shows, trade stands, stalls.
“We’re suggesting to families that they come early, and they can enjoy a picnic on the grounds,” says Joe.
Paddy stresses – as does Maureen – that this isn’t just an event for farming families.
“A lot of people who come are from Dublin, and not long living in Mullingar, and they like to bring their children out so they can see the animals,” says Paddy.
One of the most popular events of all, the “pet farm”, run by Agri Aware, is to feature again this year.
“We also have IWW Wrestling,” says Joe.
There is also “The Vortex Tunnel” for kids; there are the “Rags to Riches” rescue ponies; the animal petting area, and the “agri kids” area.
All day, there is live music, and there will be cookery demonstrations by chef Frank Moynihan, and a fashion show, social dancing, and a display by The Celtic Blondes.
The Most Appropriately Dressed Male and the Most Appropriately Dressed Female will win prizes, and a crew from Irish TV is coming along to film the day’s events.
The trade stands will see exhibits of everything from cars to farm machinery; agri-supplies, including feeds, farm clothing, and equipment, says Tom Moore, listing off just some of them.