Tullamore Show

The Tullamore Show is a one-day agricultural and livestock show held in August each year near the town of Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland. The programme of Tullamore Show events incorporates many elements including cultural, commercial trade exhibitions and competitive interests, ranging from livestock equestrian, home industries, inventions, vintage, fashion, style and performing arts.^[3] Competitions include Irish livestock competing for the coveted Gold Medal and displays of the very best in Irish traditions and culture. Agriculture was originally the show's main focus, but this has broadened considerably over the years to adapt to Irelands changing culture, with entertainment, food, crafts, lifestyle including 600 trade stands provide hours of opportunity to see the latest in inventions, products, services, food and refreshments.^[4] The Tullamore Show attracts a large attendance of 60,000 from local, national and even international areas and has grown to become Ireland's largest and premier one-day event.

History

1840 saw the launch of the first agricultural show in Tullamore, it lapsed in 1843, but was revamped and re-launched in the early 1900s. 1938 saw the last of this era of shows, until the idea was reignited in the early 90’s.^[5] The show was revived in 1991; 53 years since the last show.^[6]

The first show was held on the outskirts of Tullamore, however the following year it moved to the larger facility in the grounds of Charleville Castle.^[7] The Tullamore Show continued to thrive year after year, but was not immune to some great challenges. In its first 21 years, the show has been cancelled on three occasions. The first cancellation was due to the outbreak of ‘Foot and Mouth’ in 2001. The following two cancellations were in the years 2007 and 2008 caused by torrential downfalls of rain just prior to opening of the show and dictated last minute cancellations.^[8] The cancellations of 07/08 prompted another move to the Butterfield Estate' at Blueball, 5 km from Tullamore where it has remained since.^[9]

References