10 Apr 2020
Covid-19 Impacting Heavily on 2020 Shows Calendar
The Irish Shows Association is very aware that these are unprecedented and difficult times for our members and indeed for our sponsors. None of us could have anticipated the situation with COVID-19. We, like so many other sporting and community organisations, are having to wait and see what the coming weeks and months will bring. The current restrictions have been extended until May 5th and we urge everyone to continue to work together by staying apart. There is no doubt that this crisis will have a significant impact on our show calendar for the upcoming 2020 season.
We would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter - albeit a different one.
Many of our loyal sponsors, both on local and national level, have had their businesses impacted severely by this crisis. We would urge our members to do what you can to support those local businesses that have been such a huge support to your shows over the years in whatever way possible.
The Irish Shows Association wishes to acknowledge the Department of Rural and Community Development and Minister Michael Ring and his staff for their continued support of our shows. The Department has agreed that grant funding issued for 2020 can be ring-fenced and held in trust until 2021 for shows that are unable to run this year. We thank the Department most sincerely on behalf of our member shows. This funding will be a great help to shows trying to pick up and get going again in 2021. We ask all shows to cooperate fully with us in this regard and adhere strictly to the procedure outlined.
The Irish Shows Association Executive is in regular contact with shows about the current state of play and we would appreciate if shows could follow any and all guidelines issued. The board will be meeting by conference call in the coming week and will provide updated information after that meeting. For now, the publication of our guidebook has been postponed until we have a clearer picture. We are still hopeful that a somewhat delayed and shorter show season is still likely. At all times, we will be bound by the advice of the various government agencies and will place the safety of our members, exhibitors and patrons above all else.
Unsurprisingly, in the light of the current situation, several of our member shows have taken the difficult but prudent decision to cancel for 2020. We are working with other early shows to look at possibilities of rescheduling to later in the year. We will update this list of cancellations and postponements weekly as the situation develops.
Shows Cancelled for 2020
Armagh County Show (13th June)
Bandon Agricultural Show (17th May)
Ballymoney Agricultural Show (5th & 6th June)
Belgooly & District Agricultural Show (31st May)
Charleville Agricultural Show (27th & 28th June)
Dungarvan Agricultural Show (12th July)
Lurgan & District Horse & Cattle Show (6th June)
Newry Show (27th June)
Newbridge College Show (10th May)
Newmarket-on-Fergus Agricultural Show (3rd May)
Omagh Agricultural Show (3rd & 4th July)
Westport Horse & Pony Show (31st May & 1st June)
The Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show (August 9th)
Athlone Agricultural Show (21st June)
Athenry Agricultural & Home Industries Show (24th May)
Ballinrobe Agricultural Show (14th June)
Ballyfoyle Agricultural Show (28th June)
Bannow & Rathangan Agricultural Show (9th July)
Ballivor Horse Show (6th & 7th June)
Carnew Show (27th June)
Corrandulla Agricultural Show (28th June)
Clogher Valley Agricultural Show (29th June)
County Louth Agricultural Show (Dundalk) (14th June)
Ennistymon - North West Clare Show (31st May)
Gorey Agricultural Show (20th June)
Midleton Agricultural Show (24th May)
Mount Briscoe Rare & Traditional Breed Show (26th July)
Nobber Show (17th May)
Oldcastle Agricultural Show (19th July)
Sligo County Agricultural Show (Riverstown) (11th July)
Scarriff Show (6th June)
Tydavnet Show (15th August)
Adamstown Show (4th July)
Claregalway Show (7th June)
Clonakilty Show (7th June)
Kingdom County Show - Tralee (10th May)
Longford County Show (5th July)
Leap Horse & Pony Show (1st June)
Mullingar Show (12th July)
Newcastle West Show (13th June)
Thomastown Show (3rd May)
Strandhill Show (28th June)
Kilgarvan Agricultural Show (2nd August )
It is not an easy decision to take for any show committee. We will be sorry to lose these events from our calendar in 2020 and look forward to welcoming them back in 2021.
