As president of the Irish Shows Association (ISA), Limerick man David Sheehan has visited over 60 events around the country in just the past two seasons, making him the man to ask how things are going with these important traditional country fixtures.

A solicitor by profession and a showing man by choice, his response is balanced yet positive: “While some shows struggle to make ends meet the overall picture is very healthy.”

He went on to note that in recent years the number of ISA affiliated events has grown to a record 136.

I can recall the number being around the 75 mark back in 1975.

That was the 30th anniversary of ISA’s founding by Judge Wylie of the RDS. It also marked the moment when the Association opted to become a totally autonomous body concentrating solely on the welfare of agricultural and country shows.

Volunteers

David was born to farming and country pursuits on land which carries the name Rockbarton Stud. So, it was only natural that shows and horses were an important part of his early life.

“I remember my father buying yearlings at the Fair of Limerick and then selling them on. We rode them bareback,” he notes with a grin. Thus, when a new show was founded at Bridgetown in southeast Clare in 1989 he volunteered.

This led to committee work, regional ISA meetings and eventually national board membership. His presidency began two years ago.

Experience down the years leads him to say: “It is phenomenal community spirit and local volunteerism that keeps shows going.

“Sometimes leaders in a local area will see a show thriving elsewhere and say ‘we want to grab some of that’.”

Government boost

Noting that local sponsors are not as easily found these days, David has high praise for Minister Michael Ring’s grants to shows that began in 2018. Having received €812,000 that year and €600,000 in 2019 he said: “This was a huge boost. We were able to support shows to the tune of €7,500 in 2018 and €5,000 this season.

“We are hoping that this kind of support can be continued. By comparison it is a small amount within the overall budget but is massive in terms of helping shows survive.

“It also has to be remembered the kind of input shows make to local business and the wider economy through the travel and expenditure of exhibitors.”

It also has to be noted that local agricultural shows can be a terrific attraction for visitors to the country who might never have seen their like before. Let’s keep them going. David and his like are helping to do just that.