‘Community spirit is alive and well in Granard' – Large crowds descend on north Longford town as agricultural show season kicks into overdrive
Part of that rapidly growing repute was borne out by the presence of Tánaiste Simon Harris who was among the many legions of spectators to file through the gates of Higginstown Showgrounds for what was a two day affair like no other.
A long-held destination of choice for some of the finest pedigree champions in the country, this year's offering certainly didn't disappoint with both its cattle and horse sections attracting particularly noteworthy entries.
One of the chief, overriding highlights came courtesy of the Buddy Kiernan Milling Commercial Heifer Class with its winner's mantle going to Kevin Devine from Carrigallen, Co Leitrim.
Judge Sam Coleman expressed his own 'astonishment' at the calibre of cattle which were on show to the wider public, a feeling that was mirrored by fellow judge Philip Scott in the horse ring.
Chairperson Gerry Tully said that level of positive feedback was one he and his fellow committee members were keen to build on in order to underpin the show's enduring legacy for the next 75 years and beyond.
'The Young Handlers classes were a huge success in all sections,' he told the Irish Independent.
'It is important to keep running these Young Handlers classes to ensure the involvement of the youth attending agri shows.'
A key element behind that drive to inspire the next generation of show enthusiasts was very much evidenced by a local schools competition which was spearheaded by local librarian and committee member Rosemary Gaynor in the event's main indoor exhibition hall.
There was an almost equal level of excitement when Longford based McNally Motors took the wraps off its all new Toyota Landcruiser.
Organisers have already set their sights on holding a major fundraising draw in the hope of selling 1,000 tickets at €100 each with the winning entrant getting their hands on the keys to a brand new landcruiser at its 2026 showcase.
As has been customary fashion with its schedule of events in recent years, a healthy crowd of spectators turned out on Sunday to take in an afternoon of high-class showjumping action.
'We cannot thank all the sponsors, volunteers, gate personnel, judges, spectators and anyone that helped us in any way possible to ensure our 75th anniversary show was the best yet,' added an enthused Mr Tully.
'We are forever indebted to each and every one of them for their continued support and it just shows how community spirit is alive and well in Granard and surrounding areas.'
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Irish Times
2 hours ago
- Irish Times
Eager Ministers line up for their spending money as Coalition announces National Development Plan
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The Journal
12 hours ago
- The Journal
Analysis: Delaying details of big projects stinks of distraction ahead of the budget
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The finance minister confirmed that there will be 'trade-offs' where other tax cuts might not get the green light due to the hospitality VAT cut. Fantasy economics Donohoe also confirmed that the SES published today is based on the workings that there will be 0% tariffs between the EU and the US. Yes, you read that right. Zero per cent. This is despite Tánaiste Simon Harris and other senior ministers stating that a 10% tariff is 'baked in' to government projections… just not for the budget package projection published today it would seem. Essentially, the SES published today is not worth the paper it is written on as no-one in government is working to the optimistic view that Trump will roll over on tariffs. If anything, the predictions are the landing zone could be above the 10%. Hocus pocus projections and fantasy figures are how the SES projections published today could be described. 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Irish Times
12 hours ago
- Irish Times
National Development Plan shows the Government is about to bet big on capital expenditure
Unveiling a plan to spend more than €100 billion on infrastructure and capital projects by 2030 , and another €175 billion in the five years after that, the Coalition is betting heavily that it can achieve a step-change in addressing the infrastructure deficit that has developed in recent years. If that deficit is the biggest problem facing the State – and the Coalition say constantly this is so – then the Government is planning to solve the problem by throwing a ton of money at it. Tuesday's announcement adds more than €30 billion to previous plans, promising a surge of investment, especially in the areas of water, energy infrastructure and housing. A further €175 billion is due to be spent by 2035, though much of that will fall to the next government to make those final decisions. [ National Development Plan: €275bn to be spent over next 10 years, with housing receiving biggest boost Opens in new window ] Spending money – or promising to spend it – is in itself no guarantee of success. Past performance is evidence enough of that. READ MORE As Tánaiste Simon Harris acknowledged, the real test will be the Government's capacity to deliver the projects within something like the timescale envisaged. 'Our watchword,' said Harris, 'must be delivery … We have to say to [Government] agencies, 'get on with it'.' But experience suggests this is easier said than done. However, the ability to ensure that Government and its agencies deliver those projects expeditiously now becomes a critical issue for this Coalition. It has mortgaged its future on transforming the State's infrastructure, especially housing. But those housing units are visible and countable: if the Government fails to deliver 50-60,000 a year, there will be nowhere to hide. Do Sinn Féin need to change tack after slump in the polls? Listen | 38:36 In private, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has reportedly expressed impatience with the system's failure to move more quickly in response to decisions of its elected leaders. But there is nobody in Irish politics with deeper or broader experience of the system than Martin. Success or failure of the Government – and perhaps his legacy as Taoiseach – depends on his ability to get the machine to produce results. It is a formidable task. It is complicated by factors outside the Government's control. Chief among them is the uncertain international environment. The European Union and United States stand on the brink of a trade war that has potentially serious consequences for our economy and those corporation tax revenues which will bankroll much of the planned building spree. Launching their summer economic statement, barely an hour after the National Development Plan announcement, Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe and Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers admitted that their budget plans would have to be rewritten if US president Donald Trump's 30 per cent tariffs – or anything like that – take effect. The two men promised a budget package of €9.4 billion in October – a number that means sharp reductions to the recent growth in current spending budgets (but growth all the same). But then they immediately said that number may change if the conditions change. Here's the budget, they said – for now, anyway. This is the world we live in. Martin, Harris, Donohoe and Chambers were united and unambiguous on one thing: if budgets come under pressure, they will trim current spending growth to safeguard capital budgets. The principle is a laudable one: taking short-term pain for long-term gain. But what if that short-term pain comes in the shape of severely constrained spending on welfare, pensions, public services and increased taxes? In recent budgets, the Government was able to cut taxes, increase spending, save money and still run surpluses. That happy era is coming to an end. Tougher choices will soon be unavoidable. With them comes tougher politics.
