More for families at 2017 Mullingar Show
The Mullingar Show Committee have lined up extra events and attractions for families with children for this year's event, which is on Sunday July 9.
The show was launched in The Greville Arms Hotel last Wednesday evening, and following that, PRO Paddy Donnelly reflected on how things have changed over the years.
He said that the 2017 edition will have all the usual classes, as well as a fashion show and attractions for the youngest visitors.
That is recognition that events have to cater for everyone in this day and age, said Paddy, adding that the fortunes of the 'home-grown' section have waxed and waned over the years.
That those classes now attract large numbers of entries shows how interest in grow it yourself has revived, he pointed out.
Mullingar show is one of the oldest, with its 180-year history, and the committee have ambitions to keep improving it.
It held its first show at its current grounds in 1966 and purchased the property from the Irish Land Commission the following year.
In 1971 the photography company Skyview took an aerial picture of the Culleen showgrounds, and last week Malcolm Jones from that company was in Mullingar.
When he visited the grounds earlier on Wednesday, he heard that the official launch of the show was that evening in the Greville Arms (where he was staying the night), and he presented a framed copy of the 1971 photo to members of the committee.
Paddy Donnelly was delighted to receive the picture, as it depicts the showgrounds as they were in 1967 - no work had been done since the committee bought the land in that year.
There have been many developments and six-figure investments since 1971, however. These include the driving range, the sand arena and the livery stables, which are rented out and provide a steady income to support the annual show.
"Mullingar should be proud of the fine grounds we have to host the show each year," said Paddy, adding that they can accommodate other organisations and aspire to further developments, such as tarmacadam roads.
"We could hold big events with some improvements. We are less than an hour from Dublin, and the committee are looking at attracting more events," said Paddy.
Schedules for this year’s show are now available online and from show secretary, Eileen White (087 9971306). Entry forms and trade stand application forms are also available online at mullingaragrishow.com.
This year there is increased prize money in horse and pony show jumping: the Champion Young Horse 2017 will receive €300, Reserve Champion will receive €200. COB and Ridden Hunter prizes will be first to fourth, with rosettes to sixth place.
In cattle, there is a new IHFA YMA Showmanship league 2017, and national handling classes, and in entertainment Wexford Theatre Studio will be performing ‘Jeff and Elvis’, and 'Farmyard in your Schoolyard' from Galway and Agri Aware’s Mobile Farm will visit.