Minister Calleary announces €1 million investment for Agricultural Shows for 2025
A total of 123 Agricultural Shows across the country are to share a pot of €1 million in funding – and almost one in six of them are in Galway.
In all, 19 Galway shows will share €139,720 from the funding announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, recently.
The highest grant of €9,995 goes to Clifden’s annual Connemara Pony Show, with Glenamaddy District Ploughing & Agricultural Show just behind on €9,205.
Athenry Agricultural Show, Corrandulla Show, Ballinasloe Horse and Agri Show, Monivea Show, Mountbellew Agricultural Show and Oughterard Show get €8,350 each.
Ardrahan Agricultural Show, Ballyconneely Agricultural Show, Claregalway Agricultural Show, Gort & District Show, Loughrea Agricultural Show Association, Roundstone Pony, Cattle, Sheep & Dog Show, and Taispéantais Chois Fharraige Spiddal receive €6,700 each.
And Ballyconneely Performance Show, Cashel Pony Show, the Connemara Pony of the Year Show, and Maam Cross Show each receive €5,880.
In Mayo, Ballinrobe Agricultural Show has been allocated €9,205.
This year’s funding brings the total allocated to Agricultural Shows since 2018 to over €5.3 million.
Announcing details as he launched the 2025 Yearbook for Irish Show’s Association in Athlone, Minister Calleary described Agricultural Shows as ‘a key component of life in rural Ireland’.
“Although farming practices have changed, agriculture is still the backbone of life in rural Ireland and plays a vital role in our national economy,” he said.
“The agricultural show as we know it has so much to offer, not just in terms of the competitive element, but also as a platform for local businesses, local farmers and for local craft and artisan food producers.
“The local show is also one of the best days of the year for meeting neighbours and friends,” he added.
Pictured: Recipients...the Connemara Pony Show in Clifden.