News
Retiremants
Retirements
Two of our long serving committee are retiring after many years of faithful service to the Iverk Show.
Elizabeth Malone has been secretary of the cattle committee for many, many years. She has been to the fore and there is nothing she does not know about running a successful cattle show. Whoever takes over will have a great opportunity to learn from the 'Mistress'. Elizabeth, we wish you many years of health and happiness and I'm sure you will be able to see more of the show than you have in recent years.
Bill Slockett is also stepping down as chief steward of the Food Hall. Over the last 20 years or so Bill has built up this section from scratch. And what a job he has done. Nothing is left to chance with Bill. Two or three days prior to the show everything is in place and everything runs like clockwork on the day. Thank you Bill and we look forward to seeing you relaxing around the show for many years to come.
More thank yous'
Yes indeed, the show could not go on without you - its as simple as that.
First the land owners whose fields are used showing horses and sheep, and for car parks. We just cannot thank you enough and as the crowd was bigger this year than ever we were able to accommodate them due to your generosity.
We would also like to thank An Garda, the doctors, the vets and the Red Cross. Again the show could not function without your input. Many thanks indeed
Thank you, thank you, thank you
The chairman and members of the committee wish to thank everyone - young and old, sponsors, exhibitors and visitor from home and abroad - for your support at the show yesterday. It was a fantastic day and everyone enjoyed it.
It was great to welcome once again our friends from Newfoundland. We also had visitors from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Philippines, Peru and getting closer to home, Belgium, The Nederland, Spain and the UK.
From your comments you all enjoyed yourselves and look forward already to the next show in 2017
Musical Programme
Entertainment for your pleasure at the “Iverk Plaza” in the Showgrounds
FEATURING:
Maria O’ Shea Enright 11.30 – 12.50 Folk
For Bookings contact: Maria O’ Shea Enright 086-1726158
Carty Sisters 13.00-14.00 Traditional
For Bookings contact: Helen Carty Nolan 087-2222178
The Mojo Peppers Blues Band 14.15-15.15 Blues
For Bookings contact: Noel Regan 085-7063811
3 For The Road with special guests Hughie & Jamie from Divil The Bit 15.30-16.30 Ballad/Traditional
For Bookings contact: Stephen Jacob 087-9155992
Pete MacGowan 16.45- Acoustic Folk & Blues
For Bookings contact: Pete MacGowan 086-8548381or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Sound Management by: Mark Hickey Sound Systems, Clonmel
Contact: Mark Hickey 086-0701086
Entertainment Kindly Sponsored by:
Wall & Kenneally Transport, Ballinarrid, Bonmahon, Co. Waterford.
Contact: Gerry Wall @ 087-2599530
&
Kiely Gaule Financial Services, 43 The Quay, Waterford.
Contact: 051-872537
Lots for Young People at Iverk
There is so much more to Agricultural Show than adults leading horse and cattle round in a ring being judged for best conformation. This is certainly the case at Iverk Show as there is so much in this year’s schedule of classes for young people and children.
In the Arts and Crafts there are competitions for primary and secondary school pupils. In fact the Secondary schools compete for the Munster Express perpetual trophy. €200 goes to the winning school.
There are classes for knitting, crochet, drawing, creative writing, computer design, engineering, poetry, woodwork and so much more. There are classes for items from Special Schools. They are jointly sponsored by Piltown Credit Union, Dick Lonergan, Kennington Joinery and Gay Doyle Construction.
Competitions for schools at Iverk Show go back at least 145 years. The Irish Times of October 4, 1871 reports the following result
“To the boy, attending the National School at Boolyglass, who, shall grow in the school garden the best crop of mangolds, turnips, parsnips, carrots, onions, and cabbage (not less than six competitors). First prize of 5s shillings to G Roche; second, Thomas Roche.
To the boy attending the National School at Clonmore, ditto; first prize of 5 shillings to Austin Walsh; second Nicholas Walsh.
To the boy attending the National School at Whitechurch, ditto; first prize of 5 shillings to Charles Maher; second, Martin Merry.”
If your interest is in baking then the Odlums, Goodall’s, Shamrock and Fruitfield sponsored junior classes are a must. From Gingerbread Men to Muffins, Scones and Apple Tarts the first prize is now €15 – an increase of some 6000% since 1871!!
If flower arranging or photography is your interest there are also opportunities for you to compare your skills against other like minded young people. Can you design a miniature garden or using your imagination, create a ‘creature’ from garden plant material such as flowers, fruit of vegetables.
In the photography classes the theme is ‘open’. This means you choose the subject you which to photograph. You will be rewarded with up to €15 first prizes courtesy of Coghlan’s pharmacy, Brett’s Hardware, Tina’s Florists and Living Colours.
If you are interested in livestock there are classes for you. You can show your dog or have a go at the agility tests. You need to practice at home. Set up a few little jumps in the garden and make sure your dog is obedient. It is of course great fun as Michael O’Brien & Co will testify.
Have you sheep at home? There is a class for you to exhibit your handling skills. Get practicing.
For young dairy farmers there is the Y.M.A (I.H.F.A.) Showmanship Leagues. These are judged on preparation and presentation of a calf. First Choice Genetics are involved here. ABP want to find the best Young Beef Stockperson which is also judged on preparation and presentation of a calf.
No show would be complete without ponies. Catering for riders of all ages of riders and size of ponies there are riding classes, working hunter classes and of course show jumping competitions.
If you are too young for these, Mammy or Daddy can enter you in the Mulligan and Haven Pharmacies’ Bonny Baby competition.
Having started showing hens and helping my uncle with Hereford cattle at Bray and Enniskerry Shows in the 1950’s I still enjoy showing and especially helping young people to do the same.
You can find all the details on our website www.iverkshow.ie and look forward to seeing you in Piltown on the 27th August
History Project
This year the Iverk Show is celebrating 190 years since the very first show was held in 1826. To celebrate the Show on the 27th August this year will have a History Project on display. Included will be old photographs, reports and catalogues.
The display will feature a recreation and animation of a tenant farming dwelling from 1826. FADO Productions from Waterford, who specialise in animating historical events, will construct a traditional stone cottage. A costumed family will tend to the animals, poultry and garden vegetables – cow and calf and hen and chickens. They will be cooking over an open fire and engage with the visitors to the show. This will be very informative and interactive.
The ‘Iverk Farming Society’ was formed on October 24th 1825 in Anthony’s Inn in Piltown, County Kilkenny. The surrounding area was called the Barony of Iverk, from whence came the name.
The Society was the idea of the 4th Earl of Bessborough. The family resided at Bessborough House, which is now Kildalton Agricultural College.
The intentions of the Society were the betterment of all the people of the Barony. There was a policy in Bessborough House of having a top class farm manager who played a major role in developing farming in the area.
In 1825/6 the Earl felt that farming was not efficient and there was no incentive for the local farmers to improve their lot. He instigated the first ‘Show’ with the challenge to local farmers to beat his farm manager in a number of farming disciplines putting up a small prize and giving the winner the honour of being challenged for the title the following year.
The improvement in farming methods that ensued are said to have had a big beneficial influence on the effects of the Irish Famine in 1847 in the locality. One of the claims of the time was that nobody died of hunger in this barony.
Silage was made for the Bessborough farm in 1922 and many other ideas came on stream and filtered into the local farming community.
The show was founded on the basis of being non-political and non-sectarian. It survived all hiccups and kept on improving through the 1800s and up to the war, when the war and foot and mouth disease forced a stoppage for a few years.
The RDS report of Irish Shows from 1836 and the Farmer’s Magazine in November 1844 is, at the moment, the earliest report on the show that we have. The judges’ reports were extremely satisfactory. They reported that the show of cattle was good but they were almost entirely the property of gentlemen and strong farmers, as the old Irish cow still retains her popularity in the district.
So this year’s show will be bigger and better than ever continuing the aims of its founders. An event not to be missed.
Trade Exhibitors - Two Great Incentives For You
1. Iverk Show’s Great Offer
The Iverk Show is offering companies and groups a 20% discount of entrance tickets to the show if 20 or more are purchased. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
2. Iverk Show Trade Exhibit Awards
The Iverk Show has launched an improved award scheme for the best large, medium and small trade stand and vintage display at this year’s show. The awards are sponsored by Connors and Co, Chartered Accountants, Waterford.
Something for Everyone
In our Prize List just announced for this year's show there is something for everyone. For the young and old, farmer or non farmer, male or female you will find a class that suits you.
There are horse, cattle, sheep or poultry classes or if you are interested in baking, flower arranging, arts, crafts or growing flowers, vegetables or fruit you will find a class to suit. Maybe you have a old machine you could exhibit.
It is 190 years since the first Iverk Show was held. This one promises to be the best yet.
So have a look at the prize list, enter online and in time and you will be entered in a draw for €100
Press Release - Prize List
The Iverk Show Prize List 2016 was launched last week. Another year in the life of the Iverk Show means this is the 190th year since it was first launched in 1826. Great credit must go to the members of the committees down through the years for keeping it going sometimes against all the odds.
And this year’s show on the 27th August promises to be the biggest and best ever. There will be something for everyone, old and young. There will be new events and all the familiar favourites continue as usual.
Now in fourth year and already established as one of the biggest cattle competitions in the country is the Aldi, ABP sponsored Irish Angus bull calf championships.
The show jumping Grand Prix heads an impressive programme of competitions and will be sponsored for the first time by Nissan. The working hunter class has a major face lift thanks to the breeding grant from Horse Sport Ireland.
The Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Racehorse to Riding Horse Ireland 2016 final is a new championship. It brings together many of our favourite race horses from recent years that have now been retrained as riding horses.
The flower arranging and Red Mills poultry sections are always worth seeing. The flowers and the vegetables are looking extremely well in the garden - the recent warm weather followed by the rain has been great for them. The big onions and giant pumpkins are growing well.
The arts and crafts section gets bigger and bigger every year especially the children’s section. The sight and odours coming from the baking display make one’s mouth water.
The Iverk Produce Great Cherry Cake competition annually has around 100 entries. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if there were 190 entries this year?
Speaking about 190 we will have an Iverk Show History Project display for the first time. There will be fascinating old photographs and reports to browse over. If you have anything of interest please let us know. Combined with the vintage section it promises to be a wonderful display.
Reading the Prize List for the 1932 show I noted there were there were nine classes for different varieties of dessert apples and 10 for cooking apples.
You will find the full show Prize List on our website www.iverkshow.ie. Make sure you put the 27th August in your diary now – a day not to be missed.
Thank You
We wish to thank most sincerely the support the Show has received from Kilkenny County Council Diaspora Initiative and the Festival and Events Scheme
We also acknowledge the support received from Horse Sport Ireland Breeding Grant towards an improved Working Hunter class
Without the generous sponsorship and support of all our sponsors - big and small - it would not be possible to run the show.
A big THANK YOU to one and all and we look forward to meeting you at the show on the 27th August
Congratulations
Our congratulation go to John Appelbe from Clonakilty who became he first personto qualify for the Aldi-ABP-Irish Angus All Ireland Bull Calf Championship for 2016. John qualified 'Carrigroe Rebel' at Bandon show on the 22nd May.
More qualifiers will be held at Charleville, Athlone, Tullamore, Roscommon and Iverk shows later in the season
Visit to Balmoral Show
Would any of you like to join us on a visit to the Balmoral Show in Belfast? The bus will be leaving Piltown at 8 am on Thursday the 12th May returning on Friday the 13th at 10 pm approximately.
The cost is €180 per person sharing. It includes return bus, entrance ticket to show, one night's dinner, bed and breakfast in Jury's Inn in Belfast.
If you are interested payment must be made in full by Monday the 11th April at 3 pm. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
Aldi, ABP and IAS Renew Sponsorship
The committee would like to thank Aldi, ABP and the Irish Angus Society for their great sponsorship of two All Ireland Angus Bull Calf Championships. The finals will be held at Iverk Show for animals that qualified earlier in the season at other show.
This is on one of the largest sponsorship in any cattle class in Ireland and probably in Europe
There are still more opportunities available for sponsorship. Attracting up to 20,000 visitors annually including many from abroad there is space available for over 400 trade stands. The small business marquee and the food hall cater for approximately 100 small to medium sized companies. Outdoor trade stands space covers almost 10 acres of the show ground.
Bookings are now being accepted for the show which will be held on Saturday the 27th August in Piltown, Co Kilkenny.
Yes this is the 190th year since the first Iverk Show was held in 1826. It promises to be one of the biggest and best ever making it a great place for doing business.
For more information and opportunities for sponsorship contact the secretary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the PRO at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
