FEARS are growing that one of the county’s largest agricultural shows might not go ahead as permission has not yet been given by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
The 2015 Ardara Show, scheduled for August 8th, one of the key agricultural events in the county is in doubt, as permission to use the existing Sandfield Show area site has not been received. The area in question is controlled by the NPWS and is a designated special area of conservation. The Ardara show has been held within the scenic area for the past three years.
However, due to an independent 150 page Natura Impact Study, commissioned by the NPWS, it is recommending that the Show does not take place in the conservation area of Sheskinmore nature reserve.
The Ardara show, which has taken place over three centuries, moved to Sandfield after the long-standing site near the town centre was becoming a Health and Safety issue due to the growth of the Show itself.
Show Chairman, Cathal Mooney, said: “Sandfield has provided a much larger and drier area, together with separate car parking, making the area a safer place to run the show for all concerned. It has also allowed the show to expand events during the past three years making it one of the largest Shows in the county bringing in much needed revenue to the town of Ardara and the surrounding area.”
The decision has been appealed to the Department of Arts, Heritage and Wildlife and the Ardara Show is awaiting a favourable outcome. “We are indebted to Minister Joe McHugh and Deputy Dinny McGinley who are working tirelessly on the Show committee’s behalf,” said secretary Tracey McGill.
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