A further twenty agricultural shows have been cancelled over the past week as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.
The Irish Shows’ Association (ISA) released an updated list yesterday (Friday, April 3rd).
In a statement, a spokesperson for the association said: “There is no doubt that this crisis will have a significant impact on our show calendar for the upcoming 2020 season.”
“Unsurprisingly, in the light of the current situation, several of our member shows have taken the difficult but prudent decision to cancel for 2020. We are working with other early shows to look at possibilities of rescheduling to later in the year.”
List
- The Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show (August 9th);
- Athlone Agricultural Show (June 21st);
- Athenry Agricultural & Home Industries Show (May 24th);
- Ballinrobe Agricultural Show (June 14th);
- Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show (June 28th);
- Bannow & Rathangan Agricultural Show (July 9th);
- Ballivor Horse Show (June 6th and 7th);
- Carnew Show (June 27th)
- Corrandulla Agricultural Show (June 28th)
- Clogher Valley Agricultural Show (June 29th)
- County Louth Agricultural Show (Dundalk) (June 14th);
- Ennistymon – North West Clare Show (May 31st);
- Gorey Agricultural Show (June 20th);
- Midleton Agricultural Show (May 24th);
- Mount Briscoe Rare & Traditional Breed Show (July 26th);
- Nobber Show (May 17th);
- Oldcastle Agricultural Show (July 19th)
- Sligo County Agricultural Show (Riverstown) (July 11th);
- Scarriff Show (June 6th);
- Tydavnet Show (August 15th).
In addition to the above, a further twelve shows will not be taking place due to the health pandemic – further details here.
Funding
The Department of Rural and Community Development and Minister Michael Ring has agreed that grant funding issued for 2020 can be ring-fenced and held in trust until 2021 for shows that are unable to run this year.
“We thank the Department most sincerely on behalf of our member shows. This funding will be a great help to shows trying to pick up and get going again in 2021. We ask all shows to cooperate fully with us in this regard and adhere strictly to the procedure outlined.”
“It is not an easy decision to take for any show committee. We will be sorry to lose these events from our calendar in 2020 and look forward to welcoming them back in 2021.” the spokesperson added.
The association said it will update its list of cancellations and postponements weekly as the situation develops.
Image source: Irish Shows Association Facebook
