Over the past week or so I’ve attended three of my most favourite events of the year. They are the Tinahely Show, the Taste of Cavan and the Tullamore Show. One of the things they all have in common and that makes them work so well is huge community support.

They just couldn’t work without the volunteers that guide the traffic, organise the exhibits and do the hundreds of jobs that go to making a successful and enjoyable day for all.

They are also all about positivity and showing the best that rural Ireland has to offer. I’ve been attending the Tinahely Show for years and this year I had the pleasant task of judging the “Food from our Farms” competition. This is organised by Wicklow IFA and showcases food businesses from the local area and further afield. Congratulations to Florence Dagge for co-ordinating everything so well.

I was really impressed by local Tinahely butcher Damien Murphy. Now here’s a butcher who plies his trade in a sheep-producing county and knows how to make the most of his excellent raw material.

On his display he had shank of lamb, shoulder, rolled breast, cutlets, saddle, center loin, gigot, leg, leg fillet, rack and side loin and I’ve probably forgotten a few more cuts. His display looked so appetising and he had plenty of advice on how to cook each cut to their best. Damien could teach other butchers a lot when it comes to making the most of lamb.

The Taste of Cavan is another event I’ve been going to for the last four or five years. It has expanded no end and I’m convinced it has helped create a real food culture in Cavan and the surrounding counties, not to mind plenty of jobs. This event is led by the local authority, with Majella Tierney very much to the fore.

With over 90 food stands that come mainly from Cavan and Monaghan, another 50 stands of interest, chefs’ demonstrations all day, seminars and talks, a big kids’ fun zone and lots more, it’s no wonder almost 40,000 people pay to go through its doors each year.

One stand that caught my eye was Yomega3, which produces Greek-style frozen yoghurt and ice cream. Both products are high in vitamin D and Omega 3 and tasted delicious.

On Sunday it was an early start for the Tullamore Show and that turned out to be a great day. I’m so happy for Brenda Kiernan for whom this was her first year as chair of the show. Everyone I spoke to said it was a real down-to-earth farming event. My job was to judge six classes in the home bakery marquee. You have over two and a half hours to do the job and you think you have plenty of time but it flies. It’s not as easy as it looks to decide between a dozen batches of perfectly risen and baked scones, but relying on Catherine Leydon’s sound advice, I’m learning more every time I judge.

Finally, I’ve left my best piece of news until last. On Friday we welcomed baby Aoife Louise Nolan to the family and we are all pure delighted with our lovely little lady.

PS check out our great open eir competition on page 23 CL