The greatest showman

Castleblayney Show Vice President, Eddie Forde’s involvement with the event predates his birth, as his mother Madeline was pregnant with him when she attended the inaugural show with his father Packie in 1956.

“I’m reliably informed… I was at the first show before I was even born! My father and mother were very much involved in it,” Eddie reflected. Both he and the show will celebrate milestone anniversaries in 2026: “I’m 70 years involved in the show.”

Eddie has lived his whole life where he was born in the townland of Laggan, Castleblayney: “I’m in the one area 70 years. I didn’t ever live anywhere else.”

It turned out Eddie married a woman after his own heart: “My wife Teresa was secretary and I was chairman. It was the busiest house in County Monaghan for agriculture for years.”

Now their adult children are involved too, continuing the family's proud connection with the show.

In January 1955, before Eddie was even born, his father Packie was heavily involved in the newly formed National Farmers’ Association, now known as the Irish Farmers Association: “He spoke for the northern counties — Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal. He was a great orator, my father. The first executive was set up in Ballybay and he was chairman.”

Eddie worked as a salesman within the co‑operative movement, and he also noted the close links between the co-op and Castleblayney Show.

He became involved in the trade union movement, believing strongly in fairness for workers, describing the introduction of the minimum wage as “a great achievement”.

Looking back on his childhood, with his nine siblings, Eddie remembers a life shaped by hard graft, living off the land.

“There was always something to do. The work was hard, but I enjoyed it,” he recalls.

Farming at the time meant producing everything at home: “It was self-sufficient. You had the spuds, you had the corn, the pigs and cows.”

He had deep respect for his grandmother, Maggie, whose routine reflected that way of life: “My grandmother had the hens, and the drills of cabbage, turnips, and always milked a couple of cows before you’d go to school.”

Community was at the heart of rural life: “We all helped each other. There was nobody ahead of anybody else. Neighbours would come and help, and you’d be digging spuds and handing out bags to people — that’s the way it was done.”

Farming, he observes, has changed significantly over time — from being self‑sufficient, labour‑intensive and community‑based to a more mechanised and faster‑paced system.

Horses have also been a constant throughout his life. His family traded and dealt in horses for generations, travelling to fairs and selling them. Eddie went on to run the horse section of the show for many years and still maintains a strong interest in racing and hunting.

Eddie is encouraged to see younger generations taking an interest in farming and keeping the tradition alive.

Eddie Forde’s life tells the story of dedication — to family, to farming, and to his community. Growing up in a self-sufficient household and playing a central role in the agricultural show, he carried forward the work started by his parents and helped sustain it for the next generation.

His memories reflect a time of hard work and strong community spirit, where people worked together and took pride in what they did. His message remains simple — to stay involved, to keep going, and to value the traditions that bring people together.