Thousands of people flocked to the historic town of Virginia in Co Cavan last Wednesday for the annual Virginia Show – one of Ireland’s biggest and longest-running agricultural shows.
Farmers, agricultural workers, trade reps, politicians, entertainers, and members of the public were all in attendance alongside an impressive array of prize animals, poultry, beef and dairy cattle and sheep.
Of course, agricultural shows are never solely about pinning rosettes to prize bulls or other animals – livestock are there be examined, prices to be negotiated, hands to be shook and deals to be struck – but they also have a social side, and this year’s Virginia Show was no different.
The Virginia Show Society, which has been running the event for 82 years, reflects the local community and is made up of some 200 members drawn from the southeast Cavan area. Local businesses are represented, and each year the show features 3,500 exhibits.
RM Block
While the farmers made hay, entertainment was provided for the children, while favourable weather conditions ensured there was no let-up in ice cream sales.
But pride of place, as ever, was occupied by the animals, preened to within an inch of their lives. The competition was serious business.
Many of the participating animals were given last-minute beauty treatment. Nails were cut and trimmed while hair was washed and conditioned.
The cream of the crop was six-year-old Holstein Friesian cow Annaghmore Fitz Atlee EX96, jointly owned by Philip and Linda Jones from Co Wexford and Joel and Clive Richardson from Co Armagh, which won The Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow competition.
