ORGANISERS OF the Tullamore agricultural show are determined that the 2009 event takes place this year no matter what the weather.
Cancelled due to torrential rain and flooding in 2007 and 2008, the show is back for 2009 with increased sponsorship and a new weather-proof venue.
“We just can’t afford to have a cancellation for the third year running,” said former Offaly county manager Niall Sweeney.
“This time it has to be third time lucky,” he assured supporters at a sponsors night in the Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore, Co Offaly, on Wednesday.
Although traditionally held in August, torrential rainfall had caused the cancellation of Ireland’s largest one-day agricultural show for the past two years.
This resulted in the show committee’s decision to host this year’s event at a new “free-draining site” on the outskirts of Tullamore, he said.
Show chairman Tom Maher told the gathering there would be more than 500 trade stands, €160,000 in prize money and entertainment provided by the Obama Set Dancers at the new show grounds at Butterfield Estate in Blueball.
The difficulties of the past two years would not be repeated, Mr Maher said.
“Our executive has put all our problems of the past two years behind them, put them out of our heads in fact.
“Three cancellations in a row is not going to happen.”
The show’s main sponsor, AIB, reaffirmed its commitment to the event by increasing this year’s support.
AIB regional director Declan Quinn said that “it was a real challenge to turn out here for the third time in a row when there has been no show”.
He credited the event with bringing together urban and rural communities.
“Nobody could have predicted for the last two years that the Lord and the weather would have been so inclement that we would have to cancel the show,” Mr Quinn said.
In such difficult economic times, the Tullamore Show is an example of the “resilience” and “all that’s best in rural Ireland”, Mr Quinn told the gathering. “We will see one of the best shows in Ireland or anywhere in the world,” he said.
Echoing his sentiments, Offaly county manager Patrick Gallagher cited the dedication and commitment of those involved in the event as key factors in the survival of the show.
“It is a measure of the reputation of the show and the respect in which it is held in every part of the country,” Mr Gallagher said.
An estimated 50,000 people are expected to attend the Tullamore show which is due to take place on Sunday, August 9th.