It's Showtime as Tullamore prepares for huge turnout

Tullamore will be at the heart of all things agricultural – and much more besides – this Sunday when Tanáiste Simon Harris cuts the ribbon to officially open this year's Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show at 12 noon.

Since its revival in the early 1990s, the show has firmly established itself as Ireland's premier agricultural event and Europe's biggest one-day agricultural show, attracting over 60,000 visitors to the picturesque Butterfield Estate in Blueball, many of whom travel from overseas.

Ferbane suckler farmer and former Offaly IFA chairman, John Keena, who was elected to succeed Joe Molloy as chairman of Tullamore Show earlier this year, said “the finishing touches” are now being put in place for this year's Show and added that he is “very much looking forward” to another successful event.

“Everything is in place, the weather is looking good and the volunteers have been working extremely hard, so all we want now is for the crowds to turn up and enjoy the day,” he said.

Having been a member of the Show executive for a number of years, and serving as the most recent vice chairman, John Keena was under no illusions about the workload involved when he took the helm, but he says “the army of volunteers” involved had made his job a great deal easier.

Among the volunteers who had a long association with the Show were the late Christy Maye and Tommy Finlay.

Both Christy Maye and Tommy Finlay passed away since last year's show. In a poignant coincidence, Chisty Maye readily agreed to sponsor of one of the classes in the dairy section at this year's show in honour of the late Tommy Finlay.

“Christy and Tommy gave wonderful service to Tullamore Show, so we are planning to re-name the bandstand this year as 'Christy's Gig Rig',” said John Keena “because he always had a huge interest and input into the musical entertainment at the show.”

While originally revived primarily as an agricultural show, Tullamore Show has evolved over the years to reflect all aspects of rural life and to keep pace with a rapidly-changing landscape.

John Keena says there will be “a special emphasis” this year on green energy in the Sustainable Village section, while there will also be food; fashion; entertainment for all ages; farm safety demonstrations; a sustainable livestock village and a myriad of other attractions.

John Keena pointed out that the Show committee made a decision earlier in the year to keep entry prices to this year's show at the same level as 2024 – despite the cost of staging the show having increased – with adult prices remaining at €20 and student/OAP admission costing €15. Children under 12 who are accompanied by an adult are free.

Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, will be unable to attend Sunday's Tullamore Show, but the two Junior Agriculture Ministers, Noel Grealish and Michael Healy-Rae, will be in attendance, as well as local TDs. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was originally scheduled to perform the official opening but it was reported yesterday (Thursday) that he is now unable to make it.

Tullamore Show has a prize fund of €175,000, and the chairman says entries are “well up on last year” in all classes, so he expects competition to be “very keen” right across the board.

While renowned country and gospel singer, Patrick Feeney, will top the entertainment bill, there will be plenty of musical entertainment of all varieties throughout the day, and plenty of space for dancing as well!

In light of the traffic problems that beset last year's show, John Keena says the Show committee has “completely revised” the traffic plan for this yearm in conjunction with the Gardai and Offaly County Council.

“We are hopeful that the traffic will run smoothly and we will also have shuttle buses running all day from Tullamore town to the show site in Blueball,” he says.

The new show chairman is very keen to stress that Tullamore Show is the “perfect day out for all the family” so he is encouraging everyone to “come out and enjoy the day”.