Super show despite the weather

Organisers of Charleville Show, like organisers everywhere, are having to contend with rising costs and other challenges. Rising costs and challenges aside, the show went on last weekend regardless, with substantial crowds making their way to the Pike Cross venue over Saturday and Sunday.

The weather wasn’t ideal, however the site held up well and according to local Gardai, ‘the event progressed in an efficient manner’. Indeed, members of An Garda Siochana were to the fore over the two days, implementing an elaborate traffic management plan.

From what this writer saw, ‘the guards’ did a good job and there was little in the way of congestion. Promoted as an ‘agricultural show’ - the event is this and much more. Farming in its many facets does feature prominently, but, there’s also plenty to inform, amuse, entertain and engage non farming types.

The site is extensive and a bit like the National Ploughing Championships, you have to pace yourself to avoid fatigue. Going on accents and GAA clothing, the counties of Cork, Limerick and Kerry were the most heavily represent

ed. With regard to The Avondhu catchment, it also had its ambassadors with ‘Araglin Tractor Man’ Liam Hynes and his family making the trip ‘ back’. Richard Quane from Kilworth, who has a special interest in milking machine equipment, was present, as was Denis Tobin (Tallow) who manned a trade stand; Eugene ‘Genie’ O’Brien, a well known Ballysaggart hurler, also made the long trip to the event at Ballyhea.

VOLUNTARY EFFORT

ESSENTIAL

Run by a voluntary committee of ‘amateurs’, a phenonmenal amount of work goes in to Charleville Show. Catering, stewarding, judging, crowd control, erection of marquees, designating trade stalls, first aid, waste managment and security are just some of the headings that need to be addressed. Needless to say, it’s a costly venture and without sponsorship, it would be an even greater financial struggle.

Local man, John O’Donnell, who we know through GAA circles, is an individual who personifies the Charleville Show volunteeer; someone in the ‘veteran’ category, he could very easily find less stressful ways of spending a weekend, instead, he’s up early, on the go for most of the day and one of the last to leave the venue.

John and all his fellow volunteers deserve the highest praise for overseeing an event that has grown from modest beginnings to become one of the biggest and best organised in the country.