Crowds sent home happy as Longford Agricultural Show hits new highs

It’s a turn of phrase which unquestionably befitted the goings on in the rustic surrounds of Treanlawn in Killoe last Sunday as Longford’s County Agricultural Show took centre stage.

From early doors, and despite what turned out to be a day of intermittent showers, the crowds came in the largest and most enthusiastic of numbers.

A large slice of that eagerness came courtesy of what transpired to be a record number of entries across every section of a show that more than lived up to its well documented billing.

The catchy sounds of Stuart Moyles belting out the timeless Big Tom classic ‘Four Country Roads’ could not have been more apt in the backdrop of a venue owned by Cllr Gerry Hagan that was as blissfully rural as perennial show-goers could ask for.

It was a day that clearly struck a poignant chord for the man more commonly known as ‘The Hag’, a feat made all the more personal by the presence of his beloved mam Rose.

The much cherished 92-year-old could be seen shaking hands and smiling contentedly from inside a golf buggy as the day’s live entertainment and line dancing got underway.

That level of demand was certainly not lost on the man himself who confided at how he had been jokingly told: ‘Your mother is more popular than you are’.

The Fine Gael councillor came in for further playful derision when his party colleague Cllr Paraic Brady spoke of how he had been convinced by Cllr Hagan that his field would have no rushes within its surrounds.

“He found them in the tent alright, but they were obviously brought from Drumlish into that tent because he showed me St Brigid’s Cross which we know of course are made from rushes which are made from the good rushes of Drumlish,” replied a laughing Cllr Hagan.

Away from the wisecracks and tomfoolery, there were wholesome tributes to all to committee members, main sponsor Frank Kiernan, exhibitors and the tireless efforts of a small, yet dedicated band of stewards who helped ensure the day’s proceedings went off without the slightest of blips.

They were soundings which were echoed by the now former Longford County Cathaoirleach Cllr Turlough McGovern as he cast a watchful eye over the afternoon’s various cattle classes.

And true to his form as a proud Longfordian, the north Longford man couldn’t let the moment pass as he looked on at the bandstand and a steady gathering of would be dancers.

“Ah sure, we will enjoy the music too and we might shake a leg or two with the help of God,” he shouted with a wry grin.

“But in all seriousness it’s a massive draw to any county but for a small county like Longford that punches above its weight in a lot of situations, certainty the Longford Show brings something special.”

Show Secretary Bernie Whyte, a seasoned stalwart of some 26 years, barely had time to pause for breath as result after result were foisted in her direction inside a purpose built marquee.

That said, Bernie could not hide her delight as she reflected on a day that set the seal on seven months of meticulous behind the scenes work.

“We are absolutely delighted, she beamed.

“There is a great community spirit out here and the north Longford people love to come out to something like this and Ger Hagan, his mother Rose and family are such lovely and kind people and so popular that I have no doubt contributed to the success of today.”

If that verdict wasn't enough to illustrate the unbridled success of an event now in it's 119th year, the sentiments of veteran show enthusiast Tom Bannon were equally explicit.

“Just look at the cattle and kiddies area and trade stands, the burger and chip vans are doing a bomb,” he contended. “You don’t get bored here. You could spend four hours here and you would have something to occupy yourself for all of that time.”

And that probably was the most fitting appraisal to sum up what will undeniably go down as a day Longford and its citizens will savour for years to come.