The 76th Virginia Show was a hive of activity on Wednesday. The show committee secured prize money of €50,000 for the almost 500 classes at this year’s event.
This year’s programme featured: 300 trade stands; live entertainment; artisan food producers; a cookery demonstration; fashion shows; sheep shearing demonstrations; and children’s entertainment.
Alongside the Diageo Baileys Champion Dairy Cow Competition – widely acknowledged as Ireland’s leading dairy livestock competition – there was a wide range of home industries, children’s classes and arts and crafts. These competitions once again proved that the Virginia Show is truly a day for all ages.
Maureen McNaulty, originally from Virginia, Co. Cavan, is the owner of the Marymount Care Centre in Lucan, Co. Dublin.
Also Read: Pics: See all the action from this year's showEach year, she brings a number of residents of the care centre back to her roots in Co. Cavan for the Virginia Show. Aine Ui Mathuna, who is 101 years young, was one such resident this year.
Aine Ui Mathuna and her winning creation at the 76th Virginia Show
Ui Mathuna has always been a keen knitter and, along with Marian Reilly (activities coordinator), organised a weekly knitting group. This gives the residents the opportunity to sit and drink tea or coffee and reminisce.
This year, Ui Mathuna entered her knitted fruit basket into the competition and won. The idea for the creation came from one of the nurses in the care home.
Along with knitting the wonderful fruit basket, the group of 20 talented ladies also created all of the decorations on Marymount’s 10ft Christmas tree last year.
