It's all about the community spirit

The Farmers Journal has something in common with Virginia Show, its editor Matt Dempsey told the audience when he launched the 69th one in the Lakeside Manor Hotel last week. It's the wish to "see some kind of community spirit" said Mr. Dempsey "It's the spirit of trying to capture community effort on a voluntary basis, and to work in the interest of its long term stability and development, that so encapsulates the spirit of what the show is about." Praising the show, he said: "Now, Virginia has done particularly well - whether it's the part of the country, whether it's the lack of a spendthrift mentality among Cavan people - but you've been able to get sponsors." He had done a rough count of the show prize list and reached 250 committee members plus a similar number of sponsors: "I can only take that every committee member is responsible for roping in one significant sponsor in the entire area, so you've done an absolutely remarkable job. "But while it's invidious to pick out one sponsor, every single show dreams of having a very strong brand association," Mr. Dempsey continued, "and that's fine. But if you have an association with an iconic world brand from day one, then this is really quite unique, and what we've seen now of course is your indelible linkage with the drink brand that has shown the most significant growth in the entire world over the last 20 years - in the Baileys Cow. "We have always covered it and we continue to cover it because it's simply an integral part of the Irish summer at this stage, and it's a serious business. So it's combining a sensible hobby, a wonderful pastime and a really serious export earner and in that way, in my view, it encapsulates so much of the best of what Ireland should be about. It's rapidly coming back into focus again as we gain some sense of what our national priorities should be and where agriculture, and particularly dairy farming, should fit in those." Thanking Mr. Dempsey for formally launching the show, its president Ned Duffy acknowledged the importance of the Baileys Cow and told the gathering that if they want to see the best cattle in the 32 counties, "you may come to Virginia", adding that none of it would be possible without the sponsors and Virginia Show's biggest asset, the committee members. "Virginia Show has never been found wanting when it came to change," he said, "and that's why we've changed to Saturday. We're giving people [those who were unable to attend mid-week shows] the opportunity to participate in a great agricultural event, and the words of encouragement from someone like Matt Dempsey shows we're going in the right direction." Mr. Duffy said the organising team were looking forward to the 2010 show, and thanked all those involved, including the owners of the grounds. Among the highlights for the show society this year is the launch of the new centre, for which planning permission has been secured - it will be formally launched after this year's show in July. Virginia Show is on Saturday, July 31 this year. The main events are: • Baileys All-Ireland Champion Dairy Cow; this competition has €8000 in prize money and is sponsored by Baileys and Glanbia. • Liffey Meats €2000 Champion Beef Bullock. • Gunne Carnaross Mart €2000 Champion weanlings. • Glanbia Ingredients Champion Friesian in-calf Heifer. • Francie Brady Charolais Champion of the Show. • Lakeland Dairies Champion of the Show. • North Eastern Simmental Championship. There are 450 classes for all livestock, farm and garden produce, home industries, art and crafts, children's classes, dog and the always popular pet show. Contact the secretary Catherine Murtagh 049-8547197 or 086-8210785; virginiashow@eircom.net or see virginiashow.com. Brendan Bowyer and his daughter Aisling will perform at the show dance.