Tullamore Show and AIB National Livestock Show launched in sunshine

This year"s Tullamore Show was launched on a day of sunshine, an omen that organisers are hoping will mean that Sunday August 9 will not be a washout this year. The show, due to it being cancelled the last two years in a row because of torrential rain, is being re-located to Butterfield Estate in Blueball and will definitely go ahead, blue skies or not. The 250 acre site on the Butterfield Estate, Greatwood, Blueball, was graciously provided by Ann Marie Butterfield and her husband Steven McQuade. The location is on an elevated site, guaranteeing that this year"s event will go ahead. This year"s event promises to be the biggest on record with 45 national titles being contested, over 550 trade exhibitors in attendance and approximately 50,000 visitors expected. The Show"s Chairman Tom Maher welcomed the introduction of a new venue. 'This year"s Tullamore Show will be greatly welcomed by all the exhibitors and competitors in the new venue at Butterfield Estate. We are also delighted with all the local support for this new venue, and would like to thank the Hutton-Bury family of Charleville Estate for their many years of support,' he said. Michael Dowling, Head of Agri Strategy at AIB Bank said that the Bank was very pleased that the show will go ahead this year. 'This is a very important event for Irish livestock producers and indeed for the agricultural and rural communitiesin general and we are very happy to be associated with it once again. We wish the organising committee every success this year in the new site and hope that all who participate and those who attend will have an enjoyable and interesting day.'   Weather forecaster Evelyn Cusack of Met Eireann brought the May sunshine with her as she joined with AIB and the Tullamore Show to launch the 2009 Tullamore Show and AIB National Livestock Show on Monday. The 2009 schedule will be available from June 12. The programme can be obtained by contacting Freda Kinnarney, Secretary, Tullamore Show on 057 9352141 or email: tullamoreshow@eircom.net.