Agricultural shows run through my blood and have from a very young age. I grew up in Mountbellew with nine siblings in my house. Even with a busy household, shows were always the main priority, with the Mountbellew Show playing a huge part in my childhood growing up.

I recall my first memory of Mountbellew Show when I was about seven years old. I was heading home from national school through the old show grounds in Bannerton’s Field the day after the show and a gang of us headed into the showgrounds and decided to have a bit of a competition. Back then we were very easily entertained. We had a race around the showgrounds to see who could collect the most sheets of class numbers around the show field at the time. I think that memory will always stay with me.

Chair of Mountbellew Frank Collevy with his nephew Matthew and his pony Sam.

My father was involved with the show most of his life. He was a proud cattle exhibitor with his pride and joy being his Shorthorn cattle herd. Each year I would enjoy watching both my father and uncle compete in the show with my uncle showing horses.

How I got involved

I decided to keep the tradition alive and began showing garden produce in the horticulture section. Not long after, I decided to get involved in the makings of the day and became a steward at the show and even later a safety officer for 15 years.

Now I am approximately 45 years involved in the committee and after a long road, I’m proud to say I am the chairperson of Mountbellew Show.

The show is a huge part of my life. I really missed the shows over lockdown, especially for its social aspect. Some of my fondest memories are surrounding Mountbellew Show, from working on our St. Patrick’s Day parade float each year to our weekly evening meetings in the local hall. There’s always great discussion and craic at each event.

My role

My role as chairperson in the committee is trying to pull everything together for the big day of the show. We have two committees in our show. Our first committee is the financial committee, which take care of the sponsors, which is very important. We also have a second committee, which work on promoting the show and they try to get a footfall on the ground for show day. I am very lucky to work with such a wonderful committee. Each member is very dedicated to the show and without them it would not be a success.

Mountbellew Show launch 2022. / David Walsh.

It’s important to mention that part of my role also involves attending meetings to talk to different rural agricultural shows. Each year I would attend the Irish Shows Association meetings at these events. I enjoy talking to other shows across the country to see what they are doing differently at their shows. It’s a great way to learn and take ideas from the shows and bring them to the table with our committee to discuss in the future.

Someone I look up to

Someone I really looked up to in the show has been Michael Hughes. Michael is a former secretary of Mountbellew Show and was previous president and secretary of the Irish Shows Association. He stands as the longest running secretary in history in the Irish Shows Association.

Michael has a strong passion for the show and would often be introduced as Mr Show himself. He would attend every show in the country and was the type of person that even with a free pass to the shows, would always hand in a contribution for his entry. He really is a born and bred show person.

Mountbellew Show

Mountbellew Show was founded the same year as Mountbellew Agricultural College, which was in the year of 1964.

The Mountbellew family started it as a means of educating farmers in the locality on different agricultural practices. Back then the show mainly consisted of livestock, with cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry on display.

Today the show has evolved into much more with over 300 classes on display in various sections including horses, cattle, sheep, dogs, cats, pets, poultry, gardening, arts, baking and much more.

Our show not only revolves around agriculture but has turned into a great family day. Our kids’ zone is a big attraction every year with kids enjoying our different activities on the day including toy tractor runs, hat decorating, wellie throwing and much more.

Each year we run our own Mountbellew fittest family obstacle course, which is a big attraction on the showgrounds.

This year we are proud to announce we are hosting the traditional Irish sport horse foal all Ireland championship, all Ireland pair of Galway ewe lambs and the Connaught pedigree male calf championship.”

Mountbellew Show will take place on Saturday 3 September. Showgrounds open at 8:30 am. Visit www.mountbellewagrishow.ie/ for more information.