Sun shines down on huge crowds at 94th Limerick Show

COPIOUS amounts of sun cream was slathered on and ice creams devoured by the thousands upon thousands who attended the 94th Limerick Show in the racecourse on Sunday.

One of the many to stream in early was Isabelle O’Connell, aged 6. She was as proud as punch as she strolled through the showgrounds to enter her cupcakes in the bakery section.

She was joined by mum Rebecca, aunt Denise and cousin Geoffrey Power, aged 2, from Grange (all pictured below).

Geoffrey is a grandson of Dickie and Catherine Power who are show stalwarts.

Another stalwart is Limerick Show president Leo Walsh. 

“I'm thrilled after all the hard work to see such a crowd and to have such a fine day. The fine day makes a big difference.

"There's a huge crowd here today, and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves, and that's what it's all about, bringing the city and county together,” said Mr Walsh.

The queue was 10 deep at one stage at the ticket hatch such was the numbers looking forward to a day out.

There was everything from the world’s smallest kitchen to medical healing bracelets to a wedding marquee.

Some of the finest livestock in the country of all breeds was on display while Limerick Show is renowned for showcasing the best of Irish horse breeding and show jumping.

The Kids Zone boasted free entertainment including amusements, magic show, pony rides, animal farm and a train to ferry them around the grounds. The Limerick Leader had a fun display which allowed youngsters – and the young at heart – to recreate lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup. Dozens upon dozens of photos taken will be treasured.

There was live music, a retail village, artisan food, crafts, horticulture, a hugely popular dog show, careers village, live music and dancing, a fashion show by Celia Holman Lee.

Mr Walsh said their goal is to bring the city and county together. Another man trying to do the same is Mayor John Moran (pictured below with Leo Walsh and the aforementioned Dickie Power).

"The Limerick Show has been going for almost 100 years – it’s an amazing record and fair play to Leo and all the committee for keeping that going,” said Mayor Moran, who sponsored ASD Ireland’s Mobile Sensory Room.

He has fond memories of attending the show as a child and the smell of a coffee slice from the baking section is ingrained in his memory. 

"I've told the story often about coming to the Limerick Show as a kid down at the old racecourse. I still can't pass a coffee shop and have coffee cake without thinking of the Limerick Show.

“Leo said people seem to be enjoying themselves – they absolutely are. I’ve had people coming up to me saying it's a great show, great weather and great crowds,” said Mayor Moran, who had his Irish Red Setter Henri by his side.

Henri didn’t take part in the dog show for fear of favouritism but one of many canines to enter was Delilah, a beautiful Bernese Mountain Dog owned by Gill Copley and Alan Naughton (pictured above).

The crowds prove that Limerick Show is still absolutely ‘pawsitively’ part of the local social calendar like it has been for almost a century.

Roll on the 95th show!