Former Tullamore Show head elected as ISA president

The former head of the Tullamore Agricultural Show, Freda Kinnarney, has been elected as president of the Irish Shows Association (ISA).

The election was held recently at the ISA Annual General Meeting, which took place at the Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen, Fermanagh.

While Freda hails from Clare, she adopted Offaly as her home in the 1970s when she married farmer PJ Kinnarney, and settled in Killurin. Freda was secretary/ operations manager of the very successful Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show for over 20 years.

The ISA is the official recognised body representing Irish agricultural shows on the island of Ireland. The Association has currently more that 135 member shows, which run throughout the summer and into the autumn each year. A voluntary board governs the organisation, which ensure that the quality and standards of agricultural shows are at the highest optimal level.

“I am honoured and privileged to accept this role,” Freda confirmed as she accepted the chain of office from her predecessor Ray Brady, from Cavan.

“I realise that the role carries a lot of responsibility but I look forward to working with a great team on the board and very enthusiastic shows all around the country”, she stated.

The first board meeting is taking place this Saturday, December 14 in Athlone. While the first show of the 2025 season is not taking place until early May, there is a lot of work to be done by all the show committees before then.

Freda received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the National Hall of Fame Awards 2022 due to her success in developing the Tullamore Show into a major feature on the Irish agricultural yearly calendar.