'Massive' Longford Agricultural Show is a fantastic day out for all the community

How do you build on one of the most enduring agriculture gatherings in the country? Whatever the answer is, the organisers of Longford Agricultural Show 2024 have sussed it out.

This year's gathering, which took place last Sunday (July 7) on the lands of Cllr Gerry Hagan at Ennybegs, has been heralded as a huge success by all who attended.

The annual Longford Show was an event of colour, with well known names from politics and entertainment making their way to the heart of county Longford for the jamboree of rural living.

The success of the day was in no small part down to the packed programme compiled by a committee headed up by chairman JJ Farrell.

“It was a fantastic day for everyone; for the community, for the people showing animals, for the trade stands, for everything,” Mr Farrell said, “It's really has become massive, and we're delighted that everything went off so well.”

PICTURES: Sun, fun and smiles at top class Longford Agricultural Show in Killoe

The organisers say safety was a major priority when arranging the Show: “Everything went off without any injuries or incident. That's the main thing. We put a lot of work into it to keep it safe for people too.”

Last Sunday stayed dry for the most part and the warm sunshine brought the crowd out in force: “The day made a big difference. The sun shone, and we were delighted. We really had a fantastic turnout.”

Live entertainment was a feature of the day and performances by Declan Nerney, Seamus Farrell and Brid Shaughnessy were well received. The day offered free children's entertainment plus the Jiving Competition National Dance Qualifiers for 2025: “The jiving was fantastic. It was great to see young and old out jiving, and it was lovely,” JJ said.

PICTURES | Great turnout as Colmcille vintage run raises funds for Longford Hospice

Other highlights included a magician, face painting, inflatables, treasure hunt, a cookery demonstration by Fiona Egan, craft displays, and the hugely popular tug-of-war.“When I looked over the field at the tug of war, the crowd was three or four deep watching it. People came from all over the country, it was good to see that. It's a festival of joy for the people of Longford. That's the way we look at it.”

The committee includes general secretary Ruth McNally, equine secretary Bernie Whyte, cattle secretary John Whitney, and craft secretaries Cynthia Geelan and Olive Quinn. Everyone involved takes on a massive workload in the run up to the day:

“We've a small, but very dedicated committee. They should be very proud of themselves. Planning for next year's show starts next Monday. We'll probably take a break for a few months, but we'll have a meeting to see where we can improve, and look at anything that wasn't done right, those will be rectified.”

JJ says there were hundreds of volunteers who gave their time to make the Longford Agriculture Show possible, and thanked all who exhibited and attended on the day.“It would be impossible to thank everyone who made the day the success it was. We do need to mention Gerry Hagan who made the site available to us, I really have to take my hat off to him.

PICTURES | Gripping drama in Longford as three one-act plays staged in Legan

“The community in Ennybegs and Killoe have been fantastic to us since we moved out, particularly in arranging car parking, and providing stewards.

“As ever Frank Kiernan and Kiernan Steel, are a big help. All we've ever had to do to do is ask, and they deliver. And of course our judges,” he said.

Also read: 'An amazing lady' - Tributes paid after untimely death of popular Midlands auctioneer

This is the second year that Cllr Hagan has provided the site for the Longford Agricultural Show: “It was a huge, phenomenal success,” he told the Leader, “It was the biggest show they ever had. There was great entertainment, particularly for the kids.”

The appeal of the day was the variety of what was on offer: “There were fantastic exhibits from horses to cattle, sheep, goats, as well as the trade stands,” Cllr Hagan said.

“Families had a good day out. It provided great entertainment. A lot of people were impressed by the music. Declan Nerney, Seamus Farrell and Brid Shaughnessy all have strong local connections as well as being nationally renowned names.”

PICTURES | Longford's Camlin Keys Festival hits the high notes in memorable style

The Killoe man says the success of the 2024 event could see the site used a third time: “We were definitely encouraged to maybe take it on again. It was a great day for the parish of Killoe and the community in general.

“I must thank all the stewards that did the car parking and made it so easy for people to enter and exit. They were exceptional.”

Also read: Right up your Streete! Leading Midlands vintage show attracts highest attendance on record