Moate Show organisers 'thrilled' with attendance despite conditions
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Cadhla Bracken, Fiona Bracken and Saoirse Bracken at Moate Agri Show last Sunday.Image 2 of 7
Brenda McNamee and Twiggy at Moate Agri Show last Sunday.Image 3 of 7
Mary Daly and Michael Daly at Moate Agri Show last Sunday.Image 4 of 7
Joanne Gillivan, Niall Mackey and Anne Marie Boland at Moate Agri Show last Sunday.Image 5 of 7
Bill Horan and Paul Horan at Moate Agri Show last Sunday. Photos Paul Molloy.Image 6 of 7
Frank Digan on Liosderg Chester winner of local ridden hunter class and runner up in light weight ridden hunter class.Image 7 of 7
Marguerite McGuinness, Alison McGuinness and Lorcan McGuinness at Moate Agri Show last Sunday.Organisers of Moate Show have said they were “thrilled” and “absolutely delighted” with how well the show went on Sunday last given the “atrocious weather.”
Show Secretary Colin Doyle said: “The whole community turned up and the crowd was absolutely fantastic.”
In terms of entries this year, Mr Doyle said that the kids section of the show was “phenomenal”.
Some of the children's classes such as artwork and handwriting had over 60 entries. The show secretary said that some classes were “absolutely huge”.
“We were actually worried that we didn't have enough space but our kids sections and that includes, like, our cookery, our preserve, our fruit and vegetables, were fantastic. The entries were definitely up in those sections.”
Mr Doyle added that that there were some “excellent exhibits” and that he felt that all entries held their own on last year.
The jiving competition was very well received with competitors coming from counties such as Leitrim and Sligo. Mr Doyle said that it was “all go all day.”
“I actually don't think the dance floor was empty for any one part of the day. The addition of the competition was absolutely brilliant.”
Award-winning country music singer Robert Mizzell also headlined the musical stage this year.
Mr Doyle said that Robert Mizzell “went down a bomb” and that he could “see the enjoyment” on people's faces as he took videos and went live on Facebook at the time.
“I'm delighted (that) despite the challenging condition that people stuck it out and they got well rewarded for their patience.”
The National Vegetable Society (NVS) of Ireland hosted its inaugural national championships at the show, showcasing the best of veg over six different classes. The NVS already holds competitions in England, Scotland and Wales and judges and competitors from the UK were also in attendance.
Mr Doyle said that anyone who saw the wonderful exhibits of vegetables was “blown away at the sheer size and quality of what had been grown and produced”.
Mr Doyle thanked all the volunteers, sponsors and those who attended the event along with those who brought in tractors and helped to tow people in and out of the site. “They made no fuss and were so respectful of everyone. They're the unsung heroes.”