Taoiseach drops by for some rural fun at Waterford's Dungarvan Show

One of the longest-running agricultural shows in the country took place over the weekend in County Waterford, which saw a special visit from Taoiseach, Simon Harris. 

The Dungarvan Agricultural Show celebrated its 105th year on Sunday, July 14, in Ballygagin, Dungarvan, which had something for everyone and all ages. 

The show hosted a tented village area, which included the Home Industries Tent, featuring an array of flowers, vegetables, homemade jams, cakes and pastries, arts and crafts and photography exhibits. There were classes for both adults and children galore, including the likes of arts and crafts and wellness activities, and there was great excitement around the dog show, which included a "waggiest tail" competition. 

Special attractions this year also saw a vintage car and farm machinery display, fun fair amusements, as well as a tractor pulling event, which continued its success in how popular the event has become over the last few years.

The atmosphere on the day was electric as people of all ages were up on the floor dancing to live music, spectators enjoyed watching hundreds of animals compete in a variety of competitions, while others journeyed around the show in a tractor-like-train with 99s spotted in the hands of many. 

Some of the participants on the day, who involved themselves in dancing from afar, were Gerard Curley, Martina McEnery and Martin Kennedy, representing the Samaritans organisation. The trio of colleagues danced to the live music played onstage by Loose Cannons, in front of their stall, while handing out branded wristbands and pens to passers by. 

"We're here at the Dungarvan Show purely to raise awareness and to get our number out there," said Ms McEnery. 

"We have wristbands and pens with our freephone numbers and we want to get them into people's homes," she continued, "as a mum myself, I have teenage and grown-up children and we all think we know what's going on in their minds, but honestly, we don't. We don't know, so if it means a person here at the Dungarvan Show sees our number, they can give us a call. We're there through the night. You don't get an answering machine, you get a real person and a safe place to talk in confidence," she said. 

"We're very, very grateful to have our stand here today. The rural areas are very tough for people, particularly those who have struggled with their sexuality for years and in addition to that, loneliness is a huge, huge part of what we deal with too," said Ms McEnery. 

"We have people who ring sometimes before they go to bed, just to hear a voice, who are not suicidal, they just know that there's a voice there to talk to and it's like a comfort blanket to them," she concluded. 

The crowds danced and chatted all day long and then in the afternoon, gathered around Taoiseach Simon Harris, who was greeted by hundreds of people during his visit to the Dungarvan Show. 

"I'm delighted to be here in Dungarvan today," the Taoiseach told the Waterford News & Star. 

"My friend, Senator John Cummins invited me to come down and it's always great to have the chance to get out and about and meet with people directly. But I know this show is such a big success and it's great to be here for the first time and see what all the buzz is about," said Taoiseach Harris.