Freda Kinnarney to step down as Tullamore Show secretary

Freda Kinnarney, the long-serving secretary of Tullamore Show is to retire in January.

The announcement was made at the AGM of the show on Tuesday night.

For the last 23 years, Freda has been the driving force of the event in her role as show secretary.

She began her work with the show in 1992 in the cookery section and since 1997 has been the secretary of the show, which in those years has gone from strength to strength, despite four cancellations in recent years.

Freda is retiring from her roles as Secretary, Operations Manager and Company Secretary on January 12, 2021. She will remain as a member of the committee.

Brenda Kiernan, Chairperson, Tullamore Show, said: “Freda all down through the years has guided each and every one of us . You could go to Freda with a problem and she had it solved almost instantly. Her professionalism was just outstanding and helped bring Tullamore Show to the heights it has reached. She will be sadly missed by everyone especially me. We wish her health & happiness in her retirement."

After her announcement, Freda said: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to be involved with such a tremendous team, whose expertise has contributed to the success in staging Ireland’s premier one day event. It was my privilege to share in the Show’s developments, challenges and achievements in recent years

:I will sadly miss the camaraderie, the buzz and the excitement surrounding Show day. I suppose the year out this year was a taste of a less pressurised lifestyle and maybe sowed the seed of a possible retirement.”

The show committee wished her well and said the future would be very different without her as secretary.

A native of Clonlara, Co Clare, Freda moved to Tullamore in 1977.