Importance of volunteers' work stressed at AGM of Tullamore Show

The importance of volunteers contribution to the community and overall wider society has been stressed at the AGM of Ireland's largest agricultural show.

Ray Brady, President of the Irish Shows Association, made his first official address in his role at the AGM of the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show in the Offaly county town on Wednesday night last.

Mr Brady, elected to the post in November, said his organisation played a vital role in co-ordinating the work of more than 130 agricultural shows around Ireland.

He said it was great to see the large number of new volunteers Tullamore Show attracted in the past year despite its enforced absence due to the Covid pandemic.

The Cavan man also praised the show executive for the visionary role it played, in association with Tullamore based e-enterprise company Dotser, in the development of the SuperShow initiative, an online concept which will play a major role on the administration front in all shows across the country and further afield.

Other speakers at the AGM gave detailed accounts of last August's show which was the most successful since the event's revival in 1991.

Show chairman, Joe Molloy thanked the event's sponsors, in particular FBD, the site owners, Gardai, the county council and all volunteers who had made the one day spectacular such a success.

The show recorded in excess of €115,000 profit despite a large increase in expenses the body's annual accounts revealed.