Thousands of people, including large Longford numbers, will attend 'popular' Arva Show
The first Arva Show was held 70 years ago and a new addition this year will be a petting farm, which is sure to be a big hit with the younger visitors and families.
Alannah Finnegan is in her fourth year as the secretary of the Arva Show, after many years’ of involvement, and while it is an exceptionally busy time, she is really looking forward to events on Sunday, July 26.
“It’s going very well. I am finding my rhythm this year,” Alannah said of preparations.
She continued, “I am getting to know the different exhibitors and year-by-year you are getting familiar with the names and the faces.
“It’s a busy operation but we have a good committee that helps out with the trade stands and the entries, the sponsorship and all that kind of thing that goes into it as well.”
It is 70 years since the first Arva Show and a new addition this year will be a petting farm, which is sure to be a big hit with the younger visitors and families.
Another thing to look forward to is a stand with Alpacas.
“Then we have our usual free kids entertainment, the dog show and things like that,” the show secretary said.
Dog show entries will be accepted on the day, as well as signing up on the show’s website.
“We actually have a new class in the dog show this year for the best dressed pet,” Alannah said. “Even if it’s a hat, or hairband or something, just to add a little bit of colour to the day.”
The show highlights this year include the Supreme Champion which Alannah says is always very popular. “We always get a good crowd who stay on to watch that, to see who is the best ranked cow of the year. That’s always highly anticipated,” Alannah said.
Another attraction this year will be the All-Ireland Final between Kerry and Mayo, which will be shown on the big screen.
Alannah has enjoyed a fascinating educational journey. Having attended Moyne Community School, she went on to University of Galway to learn Economics and Italian.
While there, she had the opportunity to study in Genoa, Italy, in transport economics, and business in 2018.
Since graduating, she has been a data analyst and currently works for Met Eireann as a data collector, and was a data analyst for Dale Farm Ltd between 2023 and 2024.
This means she has expert knowledge on how the weather should look on the day, and in the final week before the event, things were looking promising.
“We have been thinking about that and the welfare for the animals, needing the extra bit of shelter and extra water for dogs, as much as cattle and sheep.
“We are factoring that in and making sure to tell exhibitors to bring a marquee for their animals. We will have water available for the animals,” Alannah said.
“Three years ago we had a really, really wet field. But this year, at least we know the field is dry,” Alannah said. “We will have all the sunscreen out and things like that on the day,” the show secretary said.
Her year’s study in Genoa has also helped her in the role of secretary. “I met so many people while I was abroad in Italy, and you meet everyone with your best foot forward and try to make people smile. At the show, as long as people have a good day, that’s what’s most important to us,” she said.
Excitement is building towards the event in the final days. “We are getting our banner up in Arva town, just to say the show is coming up and we have posters up in the shops and along the roads. We are doing the entry side of things and finalising the catalogue as well,” Alannah said.
Alannah has been involved in the show since she was 13, and learned the ropes through organising the entertainment side of things, before stepping into the role as secretary. “I was up for the challenge and it’s great to be still at it for the fourth year and it hasn’t daunted me too much,” she said.
“There is great help there. There are lots of young people on our committee that are really up for helping out. They will organise all the rosettes, put them into boxes and they are great to help with social media posts, so everyone is informed about things as well,” Alannah said.
“They are well able to keep that energy up until the show dance that evening, which is great,” she added.
Aside from the help of the committee and volunteers, the Arva Show has been financially supported by several sponsors and individuals.
Alannah added, “We really appreciate the sponsors. We’re very fortunate that the community is very supportive and a lot of people are there. Any donation is appreciated.
If they can’t give money, they often give time or help us prepare for the show. Without the sponsors, that’s what allows us to have the show go ahead, as well as funding from the Rural Community Development.”