Tullamore Show a sea of colour as 70,000 pack Butterfield Estate for 35th anniversary

"SOME of ye spent longer getting ye're cattle ready than ye did on ye're selves."

That was the joke of Tullamore Show Chairman, John Keena as he encouraged the large attendance at the official opening to view the cream of Ireland's livestock on display in the FBD National Livestock.

The Ferbane farmer was in jovial spirits and earlier told the Tribune he was "very happy" as crowds had streamed into the site early.

Mr Keena made his comments as he overlooked the sprawling Butterfield Estate which had been transformed over a period of four weeks from a working farm into Europe's largest one day agricultural show.

Taoiseach Michéal Martin also referred to the enormous size of the Show and said it was a window into our past while having its gaze firmly focused on the future.

Also at the opening were Zhao Xiyuan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ireland, and his wife Madame Li Yi.

The Chinese delegation members were highly impressed with the event. "We didn't imagine there would be so many people here and visited as many stands a possible," they told the Tribune.

After the Show opening Mr Martin made the short journey to the Fianna Fail marquee where party supporters and the curious gathered for its opening.

Inside Frances Berry and Peter Waters were busy supplying visitors with tea and biscuits.

"If we get as many votes as cups of tea we're serving we'll be well set up," said a busy Frances.

Meanwhile on a meet and greet with the crowds Mr Martin and Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon received a very warm welcome despite a small demonstration by fuel protestors.

"It's all really very positive," gushed local Fine Gael TD, John Clendennen.

Meanwhile things were really rocking on the entertainment stand where north Offaly based councillor and keen dancer, Eddie Fitzpatrick was mulling over taking part in the newly introduced jiving competition.

"Shur work away, aren't you getting plenty of practice every Thursday" noted Durrow's Johnny O'Connor, who in his role as a steward had been on duty from just after 4am that morning on the site.

Show veteran and Irish Shows Association President, Freda Kinnarney, from nearby Killurin, was also in good spirts and expressed amazement at the scale of the event.

The former Director of Operations said she retained close links with the Show and found herself "a nice little place on the back benches."

Show site owner and now retired farmer, Johnny Butterfield was also busy multi-tasking and combining roles on the day.

As well as being one of the main organisers he donned his St Brigid's Pipe Band Mountbolus uniform for the official opening and played the drums leading the dignitaries to the stage for formalities.

Two stalwart members of the Show who passed away in recent years, Christy Maye and Tommy Finlay were also remembered.

John Keena revealed that two benches had been erected in their memory – one in the Dairy Section which Mr Finlay had led for many decades and the other at the main stage in memory of Mr Maye. The main stage has also been christened Christy's Gig Rig in his honour.

Competition was also keen in the various Fashion Show sections which also saw the launch of a new single by Kate Healy, in memory of her late grandmother, Kathleen Duffy.

Kathleen's daughter, Carmel was chairperson of the Fashion Section for many years and still remains involved.