€1m investment to support over 120 agricultural shows

A “record” €1 million investment in agricultural shows across the country has been announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys today (Thursday, June 22).

In total, 122 agricultural shows nationwide will be supported through the €1 million investment which represents a 40% increase on last year’s allocation.

The grants from the Department of Rural and Community Development will support show committees in staging their events over the summer season, Minister Humphreys said.

Announcing the “record” funding to support 122 agricultural shows, the “length and breadth of the country”, Minister Humphreys said:

“Our agricultural shows sum up all that is good about rural Ireland. They are intrinsically linked to that sense of community that our rural towns and villages are known for.

“The shows are key dates in the summer calendar and are a central point for the agri-food industry, the farming community and our local artisan producers.”

Agricultural shows

The increased funding under the Our Rural Future policy will help cover some of the operational costs associated with running these shows, which have increased in line with inflation, she added.

This year’s allocation brings the total funding for agricultural shows since 2018 to almost €3.3 million, the department, which will work with the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to administer the 2023 scheme, said.

“Our agricultural shows are so important in rural Ireland for two reasons – their economic value and their social value,” the national secretary of the ISA, Jim Harrison said.

The shows to benefit from the €1 million funding in 2023 are: