Offaly's Tony tops once again in Tullamore Show's Inventions Section
Veteran inventor takes first and second places in show class
VETERAN inventor, Tony Bergin has come up trumps once again at Tullamore Show.
The ninety-five year old took first and second spots in the Inventions Section in the Home, Leisure and Building class at Tullamore Show on Sunday last.
The affable retired farmer was eating a burger when the Tribune popped into the Inventions Section on Sunday afternoon and he jokingly complained about the food costing €9!
Tony, who comes from Cooleshall, outside Roscrea, where the counties of Offaly, Laois and Tipperary meet, exhibits at Tullamore Show every year and has won on numerous occasions in the past.
He was joined by his daughter, Frances, grandson, Diarmuid, and son-in-law, Andreas at the Section which was located in a new area this year.
Tony was awarded the Unsung Hero of Offaly Award in 2023 by the Offaly Association (Dublin) for his inventions success and contribution to rural Ireland.
This year Tony exhibited an ingenious method of boiling a kettle for as little as 50c. It consisted of an old oil drum which Tony modified so that a kettle could be boiled in it.
“Everyone has a five gallon oil drum and could copy this,” he stated.
Tony also exhibited a steel grab.
The winner of Supreme Champion Class in the Inventions Section was Killian Murphy from Cavan while the winner of the Labour Saving Devices class was Anthony Lyons from Roscommon.