Income up by 13% as Tullamore Show records big net surplus in 2024

TULLAMORE and County Offaly Agricultural show recorded a massive net surplus of €141,757 in 2024, the body's AGM was told last week.

Income surged by 13 per cent compared to the previous year revealed Auditor Paul Kelly of BCA though costs also increased by ten per cent.

Total income for the financial year ending October 31 last was €1,508, 640 while expenditure totalled €1,369,773.

Over half the income came from gate receipts to last August's show - €780,037 - reflecting the huge numbers which attended the event.

Show entry fees totalled €49,999 while €256,285 was garnered through sponsorship.

On the expenditure side a massive €75,256 was incurred in expenses for the Sustainable Livestock Village though this was more than balanced out by income of €81,500 from this attraction.

A sum of €156,444 was spent on equipment hire while €122,443 was given out in prize money – the largest at any agricultural show in the 32 counties.

A sum of €115,187 was spent on marquees and tents while €184,996 was the cost of site preparation.

A total of €48,284 was spent on advertising and promotion while the figure for rent was €35,966.

Other expenses included photography €5,691, functions and meetings €39,713, lease rental of land and buildings €14,760 and security €38,429.

Auditor Paul Kelly commended the show executive for what he termed "very good management of costs" and also paid tribute to the Secretary, Chelsey Cox and Chairman, Joe Molloy, who finished his four year term in the office at the AGM.

Reflecting on that period, Mr Molloy recalled steering the ship through the choppy waters of Covid which dominated his early years at the helm.

He said Chelsey Cox had commenced her term as Secretary at the same time he took up his role and added the duo had worked well together as a team.

"I think everyone would agree that she takes everything in her stride and can sort out any situation."

Continued the outgoing Chairman: "Chelsey was an unbelievable help during my term, whether it was organising, planning or her many ways of cutting costs yet still reaching perfection in all aspects of the show."

Mr Molloy also thanked all executive members – past and present – for their help.

"We have all worked well together – hence we have put together the biggest and most successful agricultural and trade show, which incorporates the FBD National Livestock Show."

He said the Sustainable Livestock Village has proven to be "another successful part of our amazing show."

The Boora based dairy farmer outlined the show office moved to a new location during his term which worked out very well.

The three shows staged during his term had been very successful, he noted.

But, Mr Molloy stressed success brought its own problems such as the traffic and car park issues last August.

"We are working on resolving those issues for the 2025 show," he revealed.

Looking back on last year's show he said the introduction of the Young Handler class had proven very successful with competitors coming from all over the country.

Mr Molloy also paid tribute to former Show Secretary and Operations Manager, Freda Kinnarney on her election as National President of the Irish Shows Association.

He said the show was "eternally grateful" to the site owners, Anne Marie Butterfield and Stephen McQuade.

Recalling those associated with the show who had passed away in the past 12 months, Mr Molloy especially remembered the late Tommy Finlay, a show stalwart since its revival and the long standing Chairman of the Dairy Cattle Section.

He also extended every best wish to Show Treasurer, Rodney Cox who could not be present at the AGM due to health reasons.

Following the AGM, Ferbane based suckler and beef farmer, John Keena (pictured) was elected Chairman of the show for the coming four years. He has served as Show Vice-chairman and is also a former Chairman of Offaly IFA.

At the AGM itself last year's Show was reviewed by a number of speakers – Martina Neville, Breda Kiernan, Derek Nevin and Robert Berney.

The FBD National Livestock Show was the most successful to date with over 1,000 entries in the Pedigree Cattle Section.

In the Commercial Cattle Section, the Best Animal of the Future and Overall Champion sold for €10,000 and €18,000 respectively at marts in Carrick-on-Shannon and Donegal.

Entries in the Dairy Cattle Section surpassed all expectations while the Sheep Section boasted a record 972 entries.

The Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue spent a lot of his day at the Sustainable Livestock Village where the speakers corner attracted a lot of attention.

In Cookery, the Odlums All-Ireland had the biggest entry in recent years and the brand has agreed to sponsor the event again this year.

In Horticulture, extra judges had to be drafted into the honey classes such was the volume of entries while Tullamore Camera Club and photographers Bridie Roe and Michael McGrath played an important role in the success of classes in the Arts and Photography Section.

Animal welfare was of paramount importance in the Poultry Section with entries coming from the four corners of Ireland.

Entries were slightly down on 2023 in the Inventions Section while a new location for the ring attracted more spectators to the Horse Section.

Over 70 items were on display in the Vintage Section while the Rare Breeds Section was the biggest ever.

There was great interest in the Alpacas Section and the Sheepdog Trials proved a great crowd pleaser with punters astounded at how clever sheepdogs are.

The sheep shearing display attracted large crowds with George Graham giving an inspiring talk on mental health.

Volunteers travelled from as far as Galway and Donegal to help out at the Dogs Section while fashion events took place throughout the day.

Ferbane's Olivia Douglas was the star attraction in the Entertainment Section while tribute was also paid to Clara Town Band for their input.

Thanks were extended to students of Killina Presentation Secondary School for the work they put into site preparation and on show day.

The Trade Stand Section was fully booked out with many old customers returning and new ones attending.

Guest speaker, IFA Deputy President, Alice Doyle – who served for a period as Secretary of Tullow Show – revealed she was a long standing visitor to and admirer of Tullamore Show.

Describing the event as an "iconic show" she described it as a place where "urban meets rural".

Ms Doyle said the input of volunteers to the event was "phenomenal" and added that the quality livestock on display "gave farmers something to aim for."