All systems go for Virginia Show
The 81st Virginia Show is taking place tomorrow
Despite the wet and windy conditions that have descended over the region this week, it’s all systems go for the Virginia Show which kicks off with gusto tomorrow, Wednesday, August 21.
Not even the potential landfall of Hurricane Ernesto, expected at some point today, has dampened organisers’ spirits, particularly in the light of the “high” online ticket sales for the event and the enthusiastic arrival of some of the Bailey’s Champion Cow entrants as early as Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, the country is bracing itself for thunderstorms and potential flooding over the coming days because of Hurricane Ernesto, which travelled across Bermuda over the weekend. But the President of Virginia Show - one of the biggest agricultural shows in the country - Mary Gaynor is not one bit perturbed by the weather status this week.
“We’ve had rain before on show day and we coped very well and this year will be no different,” she confidently told The Anglo-Celt on Monday.
“We have the cattle and sheep areas set up at this stage and we even welcomed two cows from Cork and one from Monaghan on Sunday evening in preparation for the Bailey’s Champion Cow event. The grounds here are good and dry and we have tarmac as well. If the weather is wet on show day, we will have the lads on hand with their tractors to pull cars out if that’s what’s needed. We have had wet years before and it hasn’t affected the Virginia Show.”
Mary says there’s lots of interest in this year’s event as is evidenced by increased online ticket sales. “People are coming from all over the country and there is great interest in what we have to offer here,” she continued.
With over 450 classes, it's one of the biggest agricultural shows in the region, attracting the best exhibits, animals and talent from a wide area.
“The numbers have dropped slightly in the Bailey’s Champion Cow, which is a little disappointing, but we know there are herds down with TB and that has impacted the event a little.
“Aside from all that, we are almost there and regardless of the weather, Virginia Show will showcase the very best of rural life in Co Cavan. We are all looking forward to show day and I want to especially thank Liffey Meats, Carnaross Mart and Univet who are the sponsors of our beef sections. We are very grateful to them and indeed to all our sponsors because without them, there would be no show to look forward to.”