There is a bright future ahead for Ireland’s summer shows, Jim Harrison, the chair of the Irish Shows Association has said.

Speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal, Harrison said that shows are being organised earlier every year and that they have become about much more than showing livestock.

“Shows are bringing in bands and free children’s entertainment and it is bringing the people out. It’s a lot more than showing. It’s a family day out.”

He said that he sees “more and more young people out showing animals, especially sheep and cattle, which is great to see”.

He applauded the volunteers and committees for all of the work they do behind the scenes.

Insurance costs for the shows are steady on last year, but there are other additional costs that need to be covered. He said that the additional funding announced earlier this month by the Department of Rural and Community Development is a great help.

Funding

A total of €1m has been allocated to shows, with each show receiving a grant of between €6,000 and €11,000. Some 122 shows nationwide will benefit from the funding.

Harrison thanked the Government for the funding and continued support of shows and said that it understands where the rural sense is in shows. He also thanked the county councils that look after the shows in their county.

Attendance

With a 10% increase in attendance last year, he said that he “imagines that rise would continue,” saying that there is a “real feel-good factor” about shows and a “great buzz”.

Concluding, he said that “there is a bright future for shows as far as I’m concerned”.