As a specialist orthopaedic nurse at Waterford’s Whitfield Clinic, who coaches cross-country equestrian sports and breeds horses in her spare time, Jo Breheny has more than enough on her plate.

Yet on Sunday 11 June, Jo will oversee the Waterford Country Fair for the third year, after 12 months of carefully laid plans.

But?

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’ll be running around so much,” she laughs, “I hardly see any of it!”

Originally from a drystock farm in Co Meath, now living in Tramore, Jo has long had a passion for all things “country living”, so in 2014, decided to take the initiative to organise Waterford Country Fair as a charity fundraising event.

“I felt Waterford needed something: maybe the ‘Bloom of Waterford’,” she says of her original vision, explaining that she was fortunate to have the support of a dedicated committee from the start, through the equine community.

And since then, the event has literally blossomed, with a packed programme this year that will include jousting, sheep-dog trials, poultry displays, falconry, fly fishing, dressage, side saddle and pony club games qualifiers for the Royal Dublin Horse Show, along with a special display by gun-dog guru, Keith Mathews, all in the stunning surrounds of Curraghmore House and Gardens in Portlaw.

Jo hopes that the event will showcase the variety of outdoor activities available in the countryside, especially for families, with funds raised going towards Make-A-Wish Ireland, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions.

This cause is particularly personal to Jo, as both her late daughter Laura and son Hugh had cystic fibrosis.

While they sadly passed away in 2009 and 2011, Jo says that they still lived out their own dreams in their short time – Laura as an international event rider and Hugh as a minor hurler for Waterford – and she hopes that the funds raised from the fair will help another child to do the same.

“I’ve had two children die at a very early age, so for me Make-A-Wish is very close to my heart,” she says. “It’s great to be able to give something back to them.”

Of course, running a country fair is no mean feat, given the logistics involved: whether it’s organising shuttle buses to the site from Waterford City or co-ordinating a team of 60 volunteers on the day.

“I do wake up at night thinking: ‘Oh my God, did I do this or that right? Have I all the boxes ticked?’” says Jo. “But the committee is there; they are behind me, it’s not a one-man job.”

Jo also credits her sponsors – which include the Whitfield Clinic, Autoboland, Purcell Properties, Lawrence McDonald Auctioneers, RJ Keighery’s Auction Rooms, RJD Architects and Dawn Meats – for backing her “all the way with the fair”.

“Without sponsors, it just would not be happening,” she says.

While the fair is just in its third year, Jo hopes it will come to be seen as part of a “triangle” of family events in Waterford, along with the Harvest Festival and Winterville.

“I’d love it to be really special in Waterford; and I’d like it to be there for a long time,” she says.

But in the short term, she’s just hoping for the sun to shine on 11 June. Should we put the Child of Prague out, so?

“I’d say you’ll need more than one!” Jo jokes. CL

Waterford Country Fair takes place from 10am to 6pm on Sunday 11 June. Admission is €10 per adult, young children €5. For more, visit curraghmorehouse.ie/country-fair/or find Waterford Country Fair on Facebook.