Herald Opinion: The importance of getting involved
The need to get young people involved in agriculture shows was repeatedly highlighted at the recent launch of Roscommon Agricultural Show.
During his talk, Head of the cattle section, James Gleeson mentioned that there were specific classes for young people, putting it simply “because if we have no younger people we will have no shows. Sheep section head Pat Naughton also spoke about the need to encourage young people to get involved in the show.
John O’Beirne, who is the chairman of Strokestown Show and will be the MC at Roscommon Show, agreed, and welcomed the efforts by the Roscommon Show to get new members.
“It would be lovely to see young people getting involved,” he said.
“It is up to us all. I have been around the country at shows, and everyone is saying the same thing,” he continued. “Attending Irish Shows Association meetings, it is the same thing, they cannot get young people in. We all know what will happen if we don’t get the young people involved.”
Gerry Farrell of Roscommon Mart also agreed “Now they don’t have to be that young,” he said with a laugh. “It’s a social event and you get to meet people that you would never meet usually. It gets me out of the house, it gets me out of the farm.” He added that the importance of mindfulness and of mental health were often spoken about, before adding tongue in cheek “there’s nothing better for mental health than preparing for an agricultural show”.
Show sponsor and community volunteer, Eamon Gleeson of Gleeson's Restaurant & Rooms agreed that getting volunteers was becoming increasingly difficult.
The point is well made. Volunteerism is something that makes so many events and organisations run. It is an impulse that needs to be cherished and encouraged.
While it is the ultimate (unfair) cliché to accuse the next generation of disengagement and apathy, there is perhaps some truth in this. So much of socialising can take place online, limiting the need to meet up in person. There is also the hectic schedule of clubs and education to contend with.
The solution is not clear but if we lose community events, like agricultural shows, we will all be the lesser for it.
