Record crowds for Iverk Show
RECORD crowds attended last Saturday's Iverk Show in Piltown with Sunday's All Ireland senior hurling final the main topic of conversation among the thousands there. At one stage the organisers had to open a number of extra fields to cope with the unprecedented number of cars.
It was a magnificent event with members of the K Team, volunteers promoting Kilkenny's bid for a five-in-a-row, chasing Tipperary children around the showgrounds for fun.
And before we in Kilkenny get too cocky, it has to be said there was a lot of blue and gold being flaunted with one Drangan man, netting himself a Windgap woman.
And one particular Tipp supporter, James O'Gorman from just over the border from Urlingford in Killenaule was telling anyone that would listen that Tipperary will win on Sunday and that although it would be close there was no doubt that the premier county would come out on top. No one paid too much heed to him as he made his way from stand to stand.
And just to demonstrate the popularity of the event, a bullock owned by Sean O'Brien,
Burnfoot, Co. Donegal won the Bank of Ireland sponsored Iverk Champion, best at the show.
According to show president and local farmer, Joe Malone the buzz was there this year following the change from a Thursday to a Saturday. "We were blessed with the weather and I never saw the show grounds looking better," he added.
Many of the pavilions were full with record entries in lots of classes and there was increased interest in growing vegetables, rearing poultry and other do-it-yourself stands. There may be a recession on but the people of Iverk have adapted as they always have ot the changing needs of their clientele.
And the much anticipated Great Cherry Cake competition went for export went to Waterford and Aisling Nolan of 10 Brandon Way, Dunmore Road in the city while second and third went to Tipperary (an omen?) Second was Bernie Meaney, Crampscastle, Fethard and third was Marie Louise Nolan, South Lodge, Carrick-on-Suir with Kilkenny woman, Lena Power from nearby Tullahought in fourth place.
A South Kilkenny man who did not want to be named couldn't understand how he didn't get a rosette for his cake because one of the winners had far fewer cherries than his cake. He asked what was the point of carrying on, if the rules, according to him, weren't being obeyed.
For many people it was there first time to be present - like Patsy Moran from Muckalee and Richard Holden from Callan who had been unable to come in previous years when the event was held on a Thursday because of work commitments.
Thatcher and diver, Jimmy Lenihan from Kilkenny city was there with his lovely wife Mary while motor trade legend, Billy Lahart, another city resident, but originally from Goodwinsgardens, Kells was present with his son Neil who works for Dovea Artificial Insemination.
And for an hour or so in the early afternoon it seemed that "the voice" of the Iverk Show had been lost at sea.
Instead there was the gentler but no less effective tones of Michael Saunders, coming out over the PA system who came to Piltown by way of Hawaii. After his lunch and after presiding as steward in the vintage section, Pat “The Pilot” Conway took over responsibility with the microphone and the voice of the south could be heard for miles around (His nickname comes from the pilot boats which bring the huge ships into port).
The politicians were out in force with Bobby Alyward Fianna fail TD with is own marquee while two stands away, sen John Paul Phelan had his own tent. Each were surrounded by family and friends, giving out tea, coffee, sandwiches and sweet cakes to anyone and everyone who called.
The Aylward tent was especially busy and besides his wife, Helena; his big brother Liam the MEP and immediate family, Bobby had the likes of Jackie Norris, Margaret Haberlin, Paudie Walsh and Paddy Dalton helping out while councillors Eamon Aylward, Matt Doran and Sean Treacy were also seen pressing the flesh.
In Sen Phelan’s tent, chairman of Kilkenny Co Council, Catherine Connery was present along with councillor Ann Marie Irish and members of Sen Phelan’s family. Out on the show grounds Deputy Phil Hogan was meeting and greeting along with Munster MEP Sen kelly who officially opened the show.
And another thing that makes Iverk Show different is that they remember. There are photos on the wall of the show rooms of former secretaries of the show, Michael Conlon 1947 - 2006 and Gerry O'Donoghue 1911 - 1999 while it was good to hear the name of Noel Walsh of Fiddown being mentioned, the late and great champion of cystic fibrosis suffers in Ireland.
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
