SOURCE: TUAM HERALD

Engage in healthy rivalry and in preparation for which the best ideas are drawn out and put into practical effect by the farming community within the large agricultural bailiwick that makes the town of Athenry its centre.

Dreadful weather

Every element that goes to make a successful show was present on Tuesday at the exhibition grounds except dreadful weather, and everybody knows that a rainy day to a large extent spoils any outdoor function. The weather on Tuesday acted with singular cruelty in the Athenry Committee. It gave them no chance, not even for a solitary hour, the entire day, and the result was that persons who came at early morning long distances with exhibits were actually drenched and hurried out of the enclosure as early as possible to seek shelter and rest in the town. In the teeth of the incessant downpour, the committee worked with great persistency and determined to run out the card though the clouds themselves should fall.

Ideal enclosure

The unfavourable day deprived the public of a picture that was bound to be associated with grand spectacular effect. The show grounds themselves furnish an ideal enclosure for an agricultural, or, in fact, any other outdoor exhibition. They stand right at the entrance to the village from Galway direction, and in extent are ample for any demand that may be made upon them. The land is of splendid quality and covered with a thick matting of herbage. A ten-foot wall encloses it around, and at regular intervals huge elms and other trees spread their giant arms on every side. There the committee fondly hoped would serve as suitable natural sunshades on the day of the show, but, as events proved; there was not even a solitary peep of sunshine during the entire proceedings.  Speaking of the enclosure, though it is in the hands of a committee for some time, no definite steps have been take up to this to convert it into an asset of the town. It is now in the air, however, to acquire the paddock by purchase, vest it in trustees, and use it for the purpose of a public park and show ground combined. This conception should work out to perfection.

Geographical centre

The very geographical position of Athenry should highly favour a project of this nature. As is well known, lines of railway radiate from the town to Galway and Clifden, Tuam and Claremorris, and the North in the southern direction, to Ennis and Limerick; and eastwards to Dublin and Loughrea. This being the case, it does not need much thinking to set down Athenry as a most suitable centre for such fixtures as finals in hurling and football championships, or as a venue for matches in cases where it would be found that local influences may render it desirable to shift the scene of the contest between any two clubs or districts. There could be a fine track laid down at comparatively trifling expense. As combines are the order of the day now, a local capital may easily be put into an enterprise with less prospect of a substantial dividend. The paddock, as already mentioned, is thoroughly walled in, and being rich deep soil of excellent quality, the proceeds of the meadow and after grass should amount to a considerable sum annually. Then, in the case of tournaments or matches of one kind or another, the propriety could, as is done in many other places, charge a certain proportion of the gate receipts as remuneration for the use of the field. Viewed in this light, the project of acquiring the field for such purposes as those enumerated would appear to be quite feasible and right to be developed.

Progressive spirits

There are about Athenry some actively progressive spirits that may be relied upon not to allow an opportunity of the kind outlined above pass over their heads without seizing it,   if in their combined wisdom it seems to them to present the elements of a successful venture.  Foremost amongst these might be mentioned, the Very Rev. Precentor Canton, the respected parish priest of Athenry; the Rev. Mr. Roe, Rector of the parish; Mr. Michael Blake Davies, Mr. P.J. Holland, D. C; Mr. Christopher Daly, Mr. William O’Reilly; and there are many others who would come along and lend their assistance and their influence on a project of the kind, which, after all makes for the general welfare of the local community and for the development of the town and district of Athenry. Indeed, to the gentlemen mentioned above the creation and success of the agricultural shows in Athenry may be contributed.

Two marquees and bees

Two marquees were in use by the Athenry Beekeepers’ Association. In one a quantity of honey in different sized sections were shown. This marquee was under the charge of Miss Crowe, Monivea. The longer marquee in connection with the production of honey was in charge of Mr Moroney, who was kept busy lecturing almost the entire day to parties who asked information on this very interesting subject. He had a model bee-hive in the tent and a swarm of bees that paid little attention to passing events; all their activities seemed centred in a cabinet of wax which they appreciably lessened as the day wore on the Rev. Mr. Digges, Rector of Loughrynn, Co. Leitrim, and Editor of “The Irish Bee Journal”, was present during the day. Mr. Digges is regarded as about the best authority in Ireland upon the bee and honey industry. There was no section of the show to which so much attention was given as to the bee and honey marquees.

McHugh the sculptor

Mr. Thomas McHugh, Sculptor, Athenry, showed a fine selection of work in granite, slate, marble, and limestone. These included gravestones, gate piers, and waterfonts. Mr McHugh has already made a name in this class of work, and, judging by the design of the specimens shown at the exhibition on Tuesday, it is not to be wondered at that he should be accorded a very liberal share of public patronage. It is understood that Mr. McHugh booked several important orders as a result of the display at the Cattle Show.

Poultry

Nearby stood the poultry exhibit department. There were not so many exhibits sent in as might have been expected, but amongst those that occupied cages were some good specimens of fowl of different varieties. The ducky portion did not appear to mind the rain, but certainly the hens should have been under canvas, as they appeared very uncomfortable under the deluge, with no better shelter than what was afforded by Spratt’s wire netting.

Roots of all varieties

There was a fine show of roots of all varieties. Notwithstanding the failure of the potato crop, there were some fine specimens exhibited. In mangolds and turnips, also, there were a number of very choices exhibits, as also in cabbages.

Sheep dipping apparatus

McDougall’s sheep dipping apparatus, in charge of Mr. Hastings, was placed in position, and its adaptability for the uses to which it is applied was closely examined by farmers.

Cattle and sheep

In the cattle and sheep sections there were some fine beasts shown, whilst in the horse department there were some animals that would do credit to Ballsbridge. The pity was that they were obliged, owing to the inclemency of the day, to make for shelter before the general public came along at one period, when the rain abated somewhat.

Horse jumping

In spite of the unfavourable character of the elements, as the hour for the horse jumping arrived a fine company lined the barriers; and a number of ladies took their places beneath the awning at the far side of the enclosure. The awning, by the way was put up to serve as protection from the sun, but it discharged an equally useful function on this occasion in warding off to some extent the downpour of rain. This arrangement was placed right at the stone fence and thus afforded an excellent view of the jumping through the entire course to those who availed of its shelter. Mr. J.B. Concannon, Rockfield, brought over a number of fine animals and they gave a grand display over the obstacles; the admiration of the entire assembly was a plucky little iron-grey pony, the property of Mr. McCormack, Williamstown. It took its fences in the gamest of style, and notwithstanding that it had a say in every competition, it took some pulling to prevent it having a further spin round the course on its own account.

Ladies and hackney car competitions

The ladies driving competition and the hackney car competition showed a grand turn-out of horses and vehicles, with an exhibition of very clever handling in both displays.