AS the agricultural show season starts to wind down, the Irish Shows Association (ISA) and show committees remain optimistic about the possibility of further funding for next year.

The initial tranche of funding for 120 eligible shows totalled €812,000 and the package was introduced by Michael Ring, Minister for Rural and Community Development, in November 2017.

Although intended as a once-off payment for 2018, a further €600,000 was then made available for this year’s shows in a move widely welcomed by the agricultural shows.

That extension to the scheme was announced by Minister Ring at Bonniconnlon Show in August 2018. However there is no confirmation to date whether a third round of funding is on the cards for 2020.

“As president of the Irish Shows Association, I’d be extremely hopeful that Minister Ring would again come up with the funding because it’s so important to shows, as is the Department of Agriculture grant towards our insurance costs,” ISA president David Sheehan told The Irish Field this week.

“The impact the funding has had is obvious when you travel to shows and see the efforts and investment in improving health and safety, for example.”