Following a very successful Iverk Show last year, after an absence of two years, the show members gathered for their Annual General Meeting in buoyant mood.
The huge attendance was welcomed, congratulated, and thanked by outgoing chairman Robert Dowley.
“The strength of the Iverk Show is in its volunteers,” he said. “The whole show is run by members and friends giving of their time voluntarily.”
He had a special word of thanks for the landowners who generously give the use of their land to the show.
“If they did not support us, we simply could not hold our show,” he said.
It is nearly 200 years since the first show, and it is a great tribute to successive committees and generations of families to keeping the show going for that length of time and secondly to have built it up to where it is today, to being one of the biggest and best shows in the country.
Robert is an excellent example of this as both his father and grandfather were chairman in their day.
Robert also thanked the doctors, Red Cross, vets, sponsors, and the gardaí, again without whom we could not function.
Auditor Anne Marie Power in her analyses of the accounts reported a very detailed and accurate set of figures. She congratulated the chairman, treasurers and committee on a job well done.
The show accounts for 1875 / 76 record that it took less than £10 to host the event compared to 2022 when over a quarter of a million euro was required.
Robert is returning to the back benches after 15 years at the top table, eight as secretary and then as chairman.
“It was a privilege for me to serve you,” he said. “I have enjoyed it, loved the banter, the arguments and the discussions and thank everyone for their support. I feel it is important to give someone else an opportunity.”
Robert will continue to be involved and takes on much of the work of the late Joe Malone looking after sponsorship.
Moving into the chair is John Flynn – the first chairman from Owning.
John said he was first got involved in 1992 when the late John O’Shea introduced him to the then chief steward, Edward (Eddie) Stephenson, of the farm produce section.
“Eddie gave me this handbook of what to do”, he said, holding it up for all to see.
John then was involved in the family and garden area until he took over the food section a number of years ago from Bill Slocket. Along with his wife Rose the food village has grown into a must-see area of the show.
John said his priorities were – keeping the committee strong, involve new members, keep the costs down without affecting the standard of the show, maintain an agricultural base, and get families in. He thanked Robert for his commitment and dedication to the show.
The election of officers continued with just one significant change. Liam Ryan stepped down as safety officer after 15 years. Ray Walker, who has professional experience in this increasingly important area of the show, takes over assisted by Liam.
After the meeting the members retired to a very welcomed supper. Thanks must go — as always — to the ladies who organise this annually.
LOOKING FORWARD
Finally, everyone is looking forward to seeing friends and supporters at the Showground, Piltown on Saturday, August, 26.
Put it in your diary.
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