Minister Humphreys pledges her continued support for agricultural shows

THE Minister for Community and Rural Development, Heather Humphreys has pledged her and the Government's continued financial support for agricultural shows.

Minister Humphreys performed the official opening of the 103rd Claremorris Agricultural Show on Sunday where she outlined her department's commitment to financially support the 122 agricultural shows around the country.

In June Minister Humphreys' department announced funding of €1 million to the Irish Shows Association to fund the shows throughout the country. A number of agricultural shows take place in Mayo during the summer and Minister Humphreys said that the shows are an important aspect of community life in rural areas.

“As minister I am very supportive of the Irish Shows Association and I was delighted to announce an extra €1 million in funding for the 122 agricultural shows nationwide which is the largest single investment in agri-shows ever. It represents a 40 percent increase on last year's allocation,” she said.

Praise

THE Monaghan native was accompanied by her predecessor in the Department of Community and Rural Development, Michael Ring and she praised the Westport-based TD for 'starting the ball rolling' in supporting agricultural shows.

“Michael Ring was the Minister of Rural and Community Development and he was the man who put the money into the shows, so fairplay to Michael. He gave them that leg up. I know that the Irish Shows Association are very appreciative of Michael because he started the ball rolling and it is my honour and privilege to continue to keep the ball rolling and the money into the shows. While Michael and I are still part of this government there will be money for the shows there is no doubt about it,” she said to large applause from the crowd at the Claremorris show.

Chairman of the Claremorris Agricultural Show, Cllr Tom Connolly welcomed Minister Humphreys to the show which was first started in 1904 and this year it had 270 classes of competition. Cllr Connolly thanked the minister for her continued commitment to the shows.

Deputy Ring told the crowd that he was delighted to be invited to attend the show saying that shows like Claremorris are important to the economy of the county. He also praised Cllr Connolly along with the show's secretary, Maureen Finnerty and the hard working committee for making it a success.

Raymond Brady, the President of the Irish Shows Association was also among the attendees where he and he thanked all the volunteers who work hard to ensure the shows goes ahead every year.