IRELAND’s agricultural shows face a curtailed season as a growing number of fixtures have cancelled due to the Covid-19 outbreak. However, on a positive note, the €600,000 allocated by Michael Ring TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, for agricultural shows is now ring-fenced for cancelled shows to use next year instead.

The allocation, announced last October, was the third year of Department funding for approximately 120 agricultural shows and is regarded by show committees as a financial lifeline.