Huge crowd flocked to action-packed Iverk Agricultural Show

Picture above: Beekeeper Mervyn Rothwell, The Rower, Kilkenny beside his demonstration hive has been exhibiting at the Iverk Show for decades. He is pictured at last Saturday's Iverk Show with brothers Larry Houlihan, Michael Houlihan, Gerry Houlihan and Paddy Houlihan from Carrick-on-Suir and Grangemockler. Photo Anne Marie Magorrian 

A crowd several people deep gathered around the ring watching mighty contests of sheer strength at the Iverk Show last Saturday afternoon. 

Ireland's oldest and one of its  largest agricultural shows boasted a dazzling array of attractions for the thousands that flocked to it  from top class livestock, equine and showjumping contests to vintage vehicle displays, a fashion show, mouth-watering baking and other food classes to kids amusements and musical entertainment. 

But the biggest crowd pleaser of all  was the hotly contested Tug-of-War tournament with Tony Coffey of Bachelors in Trouble fame providing a humourous running commentary as successive teams “took the strain” and dug their heels in deep into the soft ground to overcome their opponents. 

A team of nine women  felled several men's teams and made it to the semi-final of the tournament where they received huge support from the spectators. 

The tournament cup, however, was won by the Jameson team, a mixed Tipperary/Kilkenny squad, including Liam Dalton from Clonmel, Thomas Kearney and Richie Hannigan from Killenaule, George Phelan from, The Rower, John Conway and Paddy Grennan of Tullogher. They overcame The Gladiators from Piltown in a toughly fought  final. 

Elsewhere at the Iverk showgrounds in Piltown, six All-Ireland finals were decided in the show’s substantial cattle section that this year boasted a record prize fund with the prize fund for the Aldi ABP Irish Angus All-Ireland Bull Calf Championship mounting to €31,500 alone. 

Indeed, the show’s overall prize fund for its vast range of competitions topped more then €100,000 for the first time ever this year. 

Another show highlight is the baking classes. 

Long rows of tables showcased hundreds of delicious buns, cakes and bread entries. 

The most prestigious class – The Great Cherry Cake Competition, was won by Bernie Meaney from Crampscastle near Fethard. 

The Iverk Show is above all a great end of summer social occasion and it didn’t disappoint this year. 

Apart from a few showers, the weather was sunny and warm from the occasion and drew a massive crowd of well  over 20,000 to the showgrounds located just a few miles  Carrick-on-Suir. 

It was an occasion for politicans and farm leaders to press the flesh. 

Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris had the honour of officially opening the event. 

Portlaw based Minister of State Mary Butler was  spotted at the Fianna Fáil tent while IFA president Tim Cullinan was in attendance at the IFA stand nearby. 

Mr Cullinan from Toomevara said it was great to see such a huge crowd at the show. It was testament to the hardworking committee, who did so much work in the background. 

He  was visiting the show to meet and talk to farmers.

“It’s shows like the Iverk Show where you can measure the heart beat of rural Ireland. 

“It’s a great opportunity for myself to meet our members and listen to their concerns,” he added.