Johnny Maher keeps family tradition going at iverk
FOR the last 35 years, Johnny Maher has been directing the traffic in and out of Iverk Show in Piltown. On Saturday, he was hard at it all day, making sure all the large horse transporters were accommodated. A member of the large voluntary committee that oversees the smooth running of Ireland's greatest agriculture show, he is carrying on a family tradition.
His late father Edward did the same job for many years providing yet another link with the past at the show which just keeps getting better.
Johnny, a great Fine Gael man, feels that the change of date from the first Thursday in September to a Saturday has brought even more people ot the event. “It makes a big difference with school children and their parents coming from Carrick-on-Suir and other towns,” he said.
He said that tradition counted for a lot at Iverk and added there was just so much goodwill towards the show locally that it helped to maintain the momentum and ensure, not only its survival, but its success.
A former chairman of Piltown GAA club he said that he felt the recession had actually helped to increase the number of entries in the various classes. “People seem to have more time to get involved and that’s a great thing,” he said.
Another man at the show was Richard J Grant from Mullinavat as distinct from the English actor, Richard E Grant. The popular peace commissioner and staunch Fianna Fail supporter said he was thrilled with the event and that it was one of the highlights of the year for people living in South Kilkenny. Former Fianna Fail councillor and Callan resident Breda Somers was there with her husband Liam while the president of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA), John Bryan from Inistioge did the rounds stopping off at both the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael marquees. He was surrounded by well wishers as he walked around, proving he has the touch with the public.
Another man at the show was Glenmore resident, Paddy Meally, He was looking after a vintage tractor with a 1969 KK registration. He explained that it was originally bought by the monks at Mount Mellary. He purchased it two years ahgo, did it up and regsistred it in Kilkenny and it was certainly a popular exhibit with young children.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Kilkenny
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
