Rabbit catcher Steven Mc Gonigal will be one of the star attractions at this year's show.

Looking forward to the North Tipp Show!

A feast of family entertainment awaits those attending the North Tipperary Show in Nenagh on August Bank Holiday Monday.

The committee, under the chair of Dawn Jones, have put together a highly entertaining package that will ensure a fun-filled day out.

Among the novel attractions this year will be what is billed as 'the Notorious Victorian Poacher from the Hills of Donegal'. Making his way to North Tipperary with his band of ferrets, nets and dogs is the Victorian Poacher, better known as Steven McGonigal. Steven, who is Ireland’s only full time professional rabbit catcher, will be making his debut appearance at the show, the only appearance outside his Irish game fair summer circuit. The Victorian poacher takes us into historical Ireland on his old bicycle along with his ferrets and dogs where the rabbit was currency and shows us exactly how the rabbit was caught by many methods, including the age old method of long netting at night, and shows us how the rabbit was caught and how the poacher wasn’t!

Steven will also be demonstrating net making, snare making and old trapping methods as well as the new ways of the rabbit catcher. His performance is a historical and often comical look at times gone by and what the rabbit means to Ireland.

Other novel attractions on the programme this year include willow weaving by Lynn Kirkham, a mobile pet farm, classic car show, bucking bronco, dog show, and various inflatable slides and castles for children of all ages. As usual there will also be the traditional activities, such as livestock judging, poultry section and horticulture section, as well as many competitions for home producers. It is definitely a show not to be missed!

 

Details of the this year’s highly entertaining programme emerged when the show committee launched its annual event at an evening for sponsors in the Dapp Inn in Nenagh on Friday last. Ms Jones, on behalf of the committee, thanked the Dapp Inn proprietors Frank and Susan Maloney for their generous sponsorship of food on the night. Thanking all the event sponsors, Ms Jones said the show could not possibly go ahead without so much local support and goodwill. She particularly thanked Arrabawn Co-op, who are the main sponsors.