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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Raymond Brady (Irish Show Association president, front centre) with locals at last week's Granard Show launch
The unbridled success of Granard Agricultural Show would not have reached the lofty heights it did but for the unselfish dedication of a select, but tireless band of local volunteers.
That was the overriding view put forward by Irish Shows Association (ISA) President Raymond Brady as he addressed onlookers at the show’s launch night last Thursday.
The Arva man said there were many facets to a successful show, none more so than a huge and devoted voluntary .
“I actually didn’t know it was the 72nd show but to run anything for 72 years it takes an unbelievable amount of hard work,” he said.
“It’s from people who are no longer with us, people who have continued it on and people who are there now and in the future to make it the best show in the midlands region.
“The people who are the volunteers are the real heroes because while a lot of the heavy lifting is done by the committee but when you have to build a show field, run a show, take it down, deal with the public and exhibitors, it’s been done for 72 events and the people who are no longer with us, they were the visionaries.
“It’s the same as life, if you leave it a little bit better than the way you got it then you have done a good job. That is a massive thing here as I have seen the show grow over the last few years and long may that continue.”
There were laudable sentiments too, reserved more specifically through funding set aside from Minister Heather Humpreys’ Rural Affairs Department allied to a loyal entourage of local sponsors.
“All sponsorship, no matter what level it is at, whether it is corporate or just a small donation, it is all valuable and it’s appreciated up and down the country,” he said.
“I have been to a lot of events since I became president last November and the sponsors, sometimes we forget what it involves.
“They actually have to take money out of their till or pocket or under the mattress, but they actually do it to support their communities. I always encourage people to help and respect those sponsors by returning the favour to them.”
In a rallying cry to the wider public to come along and sample the delights of this weekend’s two day show, Raymond said Granard Show’s appeal went far beyond what many of events of its ilk stood for.
“This is not just about agriculture, it’s about the whole community,” he said.
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