30k attend Bonni show

30K attend successful Bonni show


Anna-Marie Flynn

OVER 30,000 people travelled to the north Mayo village of Bonniconlon last weekend to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the parish’s Agricultural Show and Gymkhana.
The one-day event saw over 200 acres of land transformed into a platform for a list of All Ireland final categories with a prize fund of over €60,000 up for grabs. This year’s €100,000 line-up also boasted a host of other events including two live music stages, exhibitions, old craft demonstrations; funfair; vintage rally; gymnastic display; illusionist and a children’s party and disco.
Finishing off the event, the annual show dance took place in the Grove Ballroom with dancing to Robert Mizzel and his band.
And with traffic delays of up to an hour on the approach to Bonniconlon, the rain did not stop thousands of people, travelling from all over the country, attending what is now considered one of Ireland’s premier agricultural events.
Chairperson of the Show Committee, John O’Hara, told The Mayo News this year’s show was a huge success and saw the event grow and develop on previous years.
“We’re delighted to say that all aspects of the show showed huge increases this year. Attendance was up on last year and the numbers of exhibition entries increased dramatically. On top of that, there was a huge surge in entrants to all the All Ireland finals and trade stand numbers doubled. The traditional show dance also saw increased numbers attend. It is particularly special that this success came in the 60th anniversary of the show and on behalf of the committee, I want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who made it all possible,” said Mr O’Hara.
Paying tribute to the local landowners for giving of their time, effort and lands, the chairperson continued: “The success is really down to the local farmers. This year traffic delays on the way into the show were kept under control with the shuttle bus service, and of course the huge number of car parks that were laid on by the locals. Entrances and access points were also facilitated by people to make sure it all ran smoothly.”
With the event costing in excess of €100,000 to run, the show committee is reliant on support on a local and national level. “As ever we are extremely grateful to the many local businesses, families and individuals that sponsor the show each year. In addition the support of FAS, Mayo North East LEADER Partnership Company Teo, Mayo County Council and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ensures that the venture is successful,” added the Chairperson.
This year, the show committee proved it was keeping abreast of new technology with the launch of its brand new website. The new site, www.bonniconlonshow.com, has now introduced a raft of new admirers to the event, and has been lauded as an innovative step in the show’s history.
Local TD and Junior Minister Dara Calleary also praised last week’s event, saying:  “For many years Bonniconlon Show has excelled, gaining a reputation as one of the finest agricultural shows and gymkhanas in Ireland, and this year’s event was even bigger and better than anything than has gone before, with something for all ages and interests. Of course the continued and ever-growing success of the show is down to the commitment and dedication of the committee and the entire Bonniconlon community,” he said.
And the agricultural show was not the only reason crowds flocked to the village over the bank holiday weekend. The Bonniconlon National School Reunion, held on Friday night, attracted visitors from as far away as the UK, America and Europe.
The event, a reunion of all past pupils of the school, got under way with a dedicated mass in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary followed by a reception, school tour and dancing to Mick Flavin.