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Taoiseach Simon Harris and Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, visited the Virginia agricultural show in County Cavan today. While at the event, the Taoiseach and Minister Humphreys praised the more than 120 agricultural show committees nationwide for their dedication to these important events in the agricultural calendar.
Earlier this year Minister Humphreys announced a funding package of €1million for Agricultural Shows which will see each show receiving a grant of €6,000-€11,000 depending on their size. This funding is designed to support local Show committees with their running costs during the 2024 Show Season.
Speaking at Virginia Show in Cavan, An Taoiseach, Simon Harris said:
“I have been at local Shows across the country in recent weeks. Whether it’s Dungarvan, Tullamore, Tinahely, Tullow or here in Virginia today, the sense of dedication and pride that I have seen from our local Show Committees has been truly something to behold.
“These volunteers give up their time to organise wonderful events for all of us to enjoy and I really want to acknowledge and thank them for their huge efforts during the 2024 Show Season. I know Minister Humphreys has been a strong supporter of the Irish Shows Association and I look forward to working with Heather so we can do even more to support our local Shows in 2025.”
The Department of Rural and Community Development delivers this funding in collaboration with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) who administer the grants to local Show Committees across the country. Minister Humphreys has continued to increase funding for Shows to its current record level of €1million in 2024.
Speaking at Virginia Show, where she presented the Baileys Champion Cow Award, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m delighted to be here in Virginia today for the annual agricultural show, this show has been in existence for over 80 years and this year as always has something for everyone.
“From livestock to horses, fruit and flowers to garden produce and a range of exhibits and competitions that will provide hours of entertainment. These shows are really a wonderful way to experience the country way of life.
“Our Agricultural Shows are an intrinsic part of rural life in Ireland. I would like to acknowledge the ongoing efforts of the show committees, volunteers, sponsors, local businesses and local organisations that play a role in each of these shows.
“The shows would just not happen without their support. I am delighted to support the shows through my Department of Rural and Community Development and I am absolutely committed to continuing that support into the future.”
Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It offers a blueprint for a thriving and inclusive rural Irelands and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas.
The Agricultural Shows support programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of “Our Rural Future”. This is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. It represents a new milestone in the approach to rural development policy for Ireland and adopts a more strategic, ambitious and holistic approach to investing in and maximising opportunities for rural areas
The Department of Rural and Community Development funding is administered by the Irish Shows Association (ISA). The ISA is the official recognised body representing Irish Agricultural Shows on the island of Ireland.