Clonmel Show Society pays heartfelt tribute to the late Carrie Acheson

The Clonmel Show Society has paid tribute to the late Carrie Acheson who passed away on Monday.

She was a stalwart of Clonmel Show and a dedicated volunteer who was respected and loved by all involved.

The Clonmel Show Society issued the following  tribute to Carrie Acheson.

Caroline Acheson, who insisted on being called “Carrie” joined the committee of the Clonmel Horse Show in 1979, a short time before she was elected as a Fianna Fail TD for South Tipperary. She was the Mayor of Clonmel when attending her first show as a committee member in 1980.

Never one to do things by halves, she was so determined to put on a good “show” that she took donkey riding lessons for a few weeks prior to the show out in Eddie O’ Gorman’s stud farm. Despite some early falls including one into a heap of nettles she was fully primed for the big day.

Carrie was leading the race approaching the finish line when her ass stumbled and tipped Carrie off, resulting in her breaking a couple of ribs.

Carrie immediately immersed herself in the running of the annual show taking a special interest in the show’s sponsors. When she was elected the first ever lady chairperson of the show committee in 1989, she had every class fully sponsored. Using her unique persuasive charm, she made every generous sponsor feel so special that they felt real pleasure being involved even if it was costing them some money. She used to write to every sponsor and prospective sponsor in March, with a friendly reminder in June, followed by a thank you note and photograph of them presenting their prize on show day. She then thanked them again for their generosity with a Christmas card embellished with her own few words.

During the mid-eighties Carrie became involved with the National Ploughing Association initially through the Poulmucka ploughing association. She became part of their public address team at successive national ploughing championships, eventually becoming the “public voice” which kept the public informed of what was going on, what to expect, what visitors had just arrive and in those earlier times about all those “lost” children. Carrie was thrilled and delighted in 1993 when the national Ploughing Championships returned to Shanballyard, Clerihan in her beloved South Tipperary. Following the 1987 ploughing championships in Charleville Estate in Tullamore, Co Offaly, several of their local organising committee got together to organise the Tullamore Show, now the biggest annual show in Ireland. Carrie naturally became their public address voice. She has continued to attend and be the public address voice of both these national events ever since [including the 2022 shows]

When Carrie suffered her health challenges, her recovery targets were (1) attend the Clonmel Show (2) attend the Tullamore Show and be part of their public address team (3) attend the National Ploughing Championships and do their P.A. To her credit she quickly got back to doing all three in her own inimitable way with her unique Tipperary accent.

In 2000 she succeeded William Carroll as President of the Clonmel Show Society, a position she proudly held until her untimely death this week. She took special pride in being the “President” and on the annual show day she would appear in the morning in a slightly low key outfit and matching hat only to return in the afternoon in a most glamorous outfit and equally stunning hat. A bit like the late Queen Elizabeth at Ascot there would be small wagers as to what colour Carrie would wear in the afternoon.

During her tenure as President she played a significant part in the negotiations which led to the Show Society selling the lower field at the old Showgrounds to the Davis Road Greyhound Racing company. The top field {football field} was eventually sold to the developer who built what is now the Showgrounds shopping centre. This deal after many a twist and turn, resulted in the show society acquiring significant funds.  Carrie was involved in the buying of the “show farm” in Lisronagh along with some other investment properties. The Clonmel Show society became a registered charity in 1998.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin pays tribute to the late Carrie Acheson, former south Tipperary TD

'An able and determined public representative and a true community activist'

Carrie took huge pleasure in the show celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2015 and felt that she had played her part in that unique journey through the previous forty years.

In fact, Carrie attended the last show committee meeting just before Christmas and presented cheques to the recent Bursary winners.

Former south Tipperary TD Carrie Acheson has passed away

Served as Fianna Fáil TD and as Mayor of Clonmel in 1980s

Clonmel Show will miss Carrie, her enquiring mind and sincere encouragement to new and innovative things was always greatly appreciated whilst she could call a spade a spade when required. Her kindness to people “in trouble” was truly remarkable – a handwritten note would arrive in the post with her own special few words of support and comfort.

Carrie had a special love for Tipperary hurling and was a regular attender at their matches over the years.

The Clonmel Show Society extends their sincerest condolences to her son Brian, grandchildren Robert and Courtney, daughter-in-law Carmel, sister Tras, brother Aidan and the extended Barlow and Acheson families. We will miss her but will never forget her. Carrie enjoy your reunion with your dear Hughie. Rest in the peace of the Lord