Virginia Show cancelled

The organisers of this year's Virginia Agricultural Show say it is with "great regret" that the event will not be taking place.

The members of the Virginia Show Society made the decision after a lengthy discussion at a recent zoom meeting to cancel the popular annual one-day show, normally held in late August, at the show grounds in Virginia, Co Cavan.

The chairman Owen Brodie told this newspaper: "The committee concluded with a heavy heart that it is not feasible to continue to plan this year’s event and this is in line with advice from the Irish Shows Association to which we are affiliated.

"While we know this is disappointing, we hope you understand this is a necessary step to help keep each other safe in these unprecedented times. The safety of the show committee, visitors, spectators, sponsors, exhibitors and guests were at the centre of the difficult decision to cancel this year’s show.

"Virginia Show Society regrets any and all inconvenience’s that the cancellation of this year’s show may cause. Unfortunately due to the ongoing pandemic it is not possible to successfully run the show safely and to the high standards that everyone is accustomed to," said the chairman.

Mr Brodie said the committee is looking forward to better days and years ahead.

"This pandemic will pass and our Show will return bigger and better than ever before. Virginia Show Society looks forward to welcoming everyone back to the Show Grounds in August 2022. The committee is already busy planning ahead for 2022 with interesting and entertaining events and look forward to welcoming you all back when it is safe to do so," he concluded.