Published: Wednesday, 7th July, 2010 5:00pm

All stations go for Mullingar Show

What has been a staple of Mullingar life for over 170 years will continue on Sunday next, July 11, when the 2010 Mullingar Agricultural Show will draw several thousands of visitors to Westmeath Show Society's grounds at Culleen, Mullingar.

The show will be officially opened by the President of the Irish Farmers' Association, John Bryan on Sunday, with its headline event being the €2,000 Beef to the Heel Mullingar Heifer and Bullock Championship.

As well as the fun and competitive banter surrounding the usual animal and home/farm produce classes, the hugely enjoyable Dog Show will return once again, as well as dog agility and gun dog displays, falconry and wildlife displays, vintage vehicles, agricultural goods stalls, a food village, showjumping and much more.

With new roads into the showgrounds, and plenty of parking available, the stage is set for one of Mullingar's grandstand annual events.

Behind the scenes working away furiously ahead of Sunday are the hard-working Westmeath Show Society committee, led by president Joe Dolan, chairman Christopher Dolan, Padraig Murtagh (vice-chairman), Eileen White (secretary), Margaret Caton (assistant secretary/joint treasurer), Maureen Gaynor (joint treasurer) and Paddy Donnelly (PRO).

The show's spokesman, former Westmeath IFA chairman Paddy Donnelly, says that the society continues to be grateful to all of its sponsors, who never fail to assist the event even in these trying economic times.

"We're very lucky not only that our main sponsors have stood by us, but also those local businesses and individuals who make small but very important donations," Paddy said. "It's a tough time at the moment, but we're lucky in that we're one of the only show societies in the country to own our own grounds."

One thing which strikes Paddy about this year's list of entrants is the surprising number of new faces, in all classes.

"There's a lot of people entering who haven't entered before, and it's a good sign," Paddy said. "I think one of the good consequences of the recession is that people are getting an appreciation for simpler ways, and producing stuff from small holdings.

"I think this happens when people's backs are against the wall. When the Celtic Tiger was around, people just went out and bought what they needed. But now that wage packets are down, people have taken to looking after their own plots and producing stuff. And they have more time to do it.

"This is reflected in the number of new entries, in both the horticulture/cookery and animal classes."

Quality, organic produce and home-cooked food plays a big role in this year's role, with the reintroduction of the food village, promising showgoers a chance to sample and buy some top local produce.

Traders from the Mullingar Farmers' Market will be out in force; watch out for one or two pigs to be roasted, and plenty in the line of sample stalls. Live music and entertainment will endeavour to lift the recessionary gloom throughout the day, and no shortage of amusements will be lined up for children.

There will, as ever, be prizes for the best dressed gent and lady, and this year, patrons who purchase the show catalogue can guess the winners in the cattle classes and in doing so, enter a competition for a chance to win some great prizes.

All of this adds up to a tremendous day of fun for all the family, so don't miss it. Judging of the horse classes starts at 10am, followed by the cattle classes at 11am.