Moate show is 'a great day out for the community'
Organisers of Moate Agricultural Show are gearing up for another “great day out for the community” as they prepare for their 180th show on Sunday, August 27 next in The Showgrounds on the Dublin Road.
One of the oldest agricultural shows in the country, Moate's society was formed back in 1839, and since then it's only missed events during the Covid-19 pandemic and at the time of Foot and Mouth.
“It's a fantastic achievement to get to this stage. The way I view is that we are the successors of the society. We are carrying on the heritage and traditions of those before us,” secretary Colin Doyle told the Westmeath Independent following the show's launch recently in The Grand Hotel, Moate.
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Ann Bastic, Super Valu, Áine Sherry, Paula Loughran, Ray Brady, president ISA, Angela Jordan ISA member and Colin Doyle secretary at the launch of the 180th Moate Show in the Grand Hotel recently. Photo Paul Molloy.Image 2 of 4
Marie McManus, safety officer, Marian Kearney, Eileen Dunican, vice president, Olive Kearney and Helen Allen at the launch of the 180th. Moate Show in the Grand Hotel recently. Photo Paul Molloy.Image 3 of 4
Elizabeth Ross,Pairic McNeill safety officer, Francis Fox and Rachel Scott PRO at the launch of the 180th Moate Show in the Grand Hotel recently. Photo Paul Molloy.Image 4 of 4
Reggie Mitchell, Home Industries secretary, Cllr. Tom Farrell, Trish Young, Pauline Corr, Frances Cunningham and Peter Cunningham at the launch of the 180th. Moate Show in the Grand Hotel in Moate. Photo Paul Molloy.There's more to offer than just agriculture, he underlined, and they pride themselves on linking with the community and it's hoped to have displays from Moate Men's Shed and Moate Vintage Society, something that proved very popular last year.
Country star Robert Mizzell will headline the musical stage this year from 3pm, with a jiving competition on a large dance floor in partnership with Sandra Ganley preceding him, and there's be other musical acts on the day too.
In addition, there will be plenty of children's entertainment, amusements, face painting and ground games, the majority of which will be free. A summer market is geared towards craft traders and home cooks displaying their produce. Keep an eye on the Moate Agricultural Show Facebook for more details about these attractions in the coming weeks.
“The show isn't just about competition, it's about providing a great day out for the community,” Mr Doyle commented, adding they want to make it accessible and affordable, and in honour of their 180th show, they have waived all fees for their children's competitions in a bid to encourage the next generation to get involved. There are craft classes, cookery, lego building competitions, poetry composition, best insect made from a vegetable competition and much more. The full schedule of competitions and entry forms are available now from the moateshow.ie website, with entries closing on August 20, however, late entries will be welcomed.
The National Vegetable Society (NVS) of Ireland will host its inaugural national championships at Moate show, the first in the country, showcasing the best of veg over six different classes. Raymond Higgins from the National Vegetable Society, which has 2,000 members, was delighted to announce at the launch that Moate show will be the venue for the first Irish NVS Championships. The NVS already holds competitions in England, Scotland and Wales, so everyone at Moate show is privileged that the group has chosen their event to have the first Irish championships. Veg enthusiasts will be also be able to get tips from growers and feast their eyes on some of the giant exhibits on the day.
As usual there will be over 200 classes of competitions from 10am, with everything from livestock to poultry, sheep, equine, vegetables, home cookery and home industry catered for and keenly contested by young and not so young.
Speaking at the recent launch, Raymond Brady from the Irish Shows Society, complimented Moate on being one of the best shows he attended last year and he is looking to seeing everyone again on August 27 next.
Show chairman Michael Scott thanked the large attendance at the launch and the sponsors, before Cllr Tom Farrell praised the work of the committee and the volunteers who make Moate Agricultural Show a success year after year. He confirmed he will be at the show helping out on the day.
“At the end of the day our show is run by volunteers, and people give their time and their expertise, because they are generally involved in something they have an interest in. The show wouldn't run without them,” secretary Colin Doyle emphasised. “We're also very thankful for the the volunteers, who are not involved in the committee who come forward to help out on the day.
“Seeing people coming the gate and leaving with a smile on their face is what it's all about,” Mr Doyle remarked, and that's why people are committed to give people a great day out and a nice experience.
He also thanked all of their sponsors, in particular, Westmeath County Council, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Agriculture for their assistance this year.