Skeheenarinky has done it once again and pulled off one of the highlight ‘summer events’ of the year. Following on from the great success of the 150th Anniversary celebration which brought so much attention and praise to the area last year, with appearances on Nationwide and national press, Skeheenarinky now boasts a Flower and Vegetable Show which, if the inaugural show is anything to go by, is set to become one of the premier annual Flower Shows in the region.
Bright sunshine, shimmering marquees, short sleeves, brass band music and smiling, relaxed faces were the order of the day. Hundreds of exhibitors entered hundreds of quality exhibits in flower, vegetable, household, craft, and children’s classes, and hundreds more came to admire the exhibits, absorb the atmosphere, mingle with friends and neighbours, and avail of the opportunity to buy quality home-baked cakes and breads, honey, jams, eggs, exquisite flower arrangements and craft items.
The judges’ task was not an easy one, and the standard of entries was amazingly high – especially considering that this event attracted many first time exhibitors. This was just what the organisers had hoped for, and their efforts to encourage first timers to enter the show were highly successful.
Skeheenarinky is ideally placed to host such a show and managed to attract people from counties Tipperary, Limerick and Cork. While the show was an open show, and it was great to see so many entries from around the region, it was also great to see so many locals among the winners.
The good natured rivalry was all put to one side as the winners collected their trophies or rosettes, and the applause was genuine and animated. Skeheenarinky’s own Catherine Walsh O’Donnell was a popular winner of the Best in Show shield and needed help to carry away her highly deserved trophies. Michael McGrath was the worthy winner of the vegetable section, but rumour has it that plans are already underway to topple him from the winner’s podium (figuratively speaking of course) at next years show. Michael Slattery, the esteemed treasurer of the committee, and M.C. on the day, won the fruit section and had the pleasure of calling out his own name as prize-winner. Karen O’Gorman was the deserved winner of the Handicraft section. All the class winners are listed at the bottom of this article.
Congratulations to all winners of sections and classes. With over eighty sections in the many classes it is impossible to present trophies to all section winners at any event like this, and it is hoped the honour of being recognised as being among the winners in a particular section will bring you back again next year.
The prize table was a sight to behold, and the trophies – which had been generously sponsored – were worthy of any larger venue. The show took place at the local National School by kind permission of the Board of Management and the grounds were in impeccable condition for the occasion.
The members of the small, hardworking committee of the Skeheenarinky Flower Show could not have run the show on their own, and the goodwill and support received from the local community along with the sponsorship and volunteer effort on the day were essential to the success of the event. The committee and volunteers will meet shortly to reflect on the success of the day, to discuss ways in which the event can be improved, and to tentatively put in place plans for the 2010 Skeheenarinky Flower and Vegetable Show.
The Alzheimer Society will shortly be the recipients of a cheque from the Flower Show treasurer.
More images of the event can be found on the Photo Gallery.
Class Winners
Class 1. Fruit
1st. Michael Slattery -2nd. Margaret Fox, Burncourt -3rd. Mary Fox, The Lough, Skeheenarinky
Class 2. Vegetables
1st. Michael McGrath, Coolagarranroe – 2nd. Anne Loughlin – 3rd. Kay Curtin, Coolagarranroe
Class 3. Novice Flower Arranging
1st. Catherine Walsh, Skeheenarinky -2nd. Mary Fox, The Lough, Skeheenarinky -3rd. Hilary Cavanagh
Class 3A. Advanced Flower Arranging
1st. David and Emma Williams – 2nd. Eibhlín Walsh Boland -3rd. Mairead English
Class 4. Flowers
1st. Ita Kiely -2nd. Catherine Walsh O’Donnell -3rd. David and Emma Williams
Class 5. Household (Baking, Preserves, Eggs, etc.)
1st. Avril Luddy -2nd. Helen Brennan -3rd. Derval Fox
Class 6. Handicrafts
1st. Karen O’Gorman -2nd. Catherine Walsh O’Donnell -3rd. Mrs. W. Austin Rawlings
Class 7. Children under 7
1st. Ricki Morrissey – 2nd. Adam Walsh -3rd. Gemma King
Class 7. Children 7 to 12
1st. Maddy Wood, Coolrue -2nd. Niamh Curtin -3rd. Julie Landers
Class 7. Over 12
1st. Niamh O’Brien -2nd. Tara Curtin -3rd. Quinn Foskitt
Sponsors
The Committee of Skeheenarinky Flower Show would like to thank all sponsors for their generous contributions without which the Flower Show would not have been possible.
Michael Gleeson – Castle Aluminium, Michael and Joan Slattery, Donal Lyons, Pa Joe Hennessy, Sean Meaney – Cosy Kennels, Pat O’Connor, Doug Haskell, Jim Carey Car Sales, Permanent TSB, Mary O’Gorman, Mick and Mary Kennedy, Parents’ Council Skeheenarinky N.S., Eddie Fitzgibbon – Galtee Aluminium, P.J. Fitzgerald, Patsy and Kathleen King, Ed O’Riordan and Karol DeFalco, Peter Kearney, John Goff, Paul Brennan – Nirvana Lighting, Ger Fox Electrical, Sean Crotty, Mary O’Farrell, James and Alice Curtin, Willie and Cathy McGrath, Anthony Caplice.
Prizes for the fundraising night were sponsored by the following:
Butler’s Bar Burncourt, Mulcahy’s Bar Burncourt, Mr. Mister Mitchelstown, Michael and Joan Slattery, Susan Walsh, Kathleen and Patsy King, Karol DeFalco, Jackson’s Bar, Ed O’Riordan, Kay Caplice, Doug and Wendy Haskell, Clongibbon Mitchelstown, Declan Duggan, Kilcoran Lodge Hotel.
