By Dan Walsh
For more than 150 years, Enniscorthy Showgrounds has united town and country, building a progressive legacy that is central to local history and self-scripts a treasure of knowledge that deserves to be archived. Hence the recent launch of a new book “Enniscorthy Showgrounds; serving our community since 1870”.
The scene is set by James Kehoe, President of Enniscorthy Showgrounds Company Ltd in his address. He said; “With the changing direction of County Wexford Agricultural Show Society Ltd over the last few years and the formation of Enniscorthy Showgrounds Company Ltd, it is timely to look back and see where we came from!
“The Show was established in 1870, and it is important to record the activities spanning over 150 years. It is also important to preserve the history for future generations and to provide insight into rural interest and culture.”
James Hendrick. Chairman/Director, said; “It was a very difficult decision to cease the running of our annual show (known as the County Show) following the 2015 event.”
Mr Hendrick added: “However, the showgrounds remain an important asset for the people of Enniscorthy and surrounding areas with pitches for playing GAA, soccer, rugby and cricket, and premises for boxing, personal training as well as religious and commercial activities.”
Around 1900 the County Wexford United Agricultural Society acquired the grounds at Lymington on lease from the Earl of Portsmouth. From then on, the County Show was held at the Showgrounds. (The first County Show was held at the Fair Green, Enniscorthy, in 1870).
In August 1928, an indenture was taken out between Beatrice Mary Countess of Portsmouth, Robert Wesley Hall-Dare, Joseph Bennett, George Lett and John Jameson Davis. This is the lease under which the Society held the lands and on the foot of which the right to buy out the freehold was based.
In 1979 the Deeds of Transfer from the Portsmouth Estate was passed to the Society and registered with the Land Registry in 1980. Approximately 22 acres of land were transferred.
In 1933, Enniscorthy greyhound track was officially opened in the Showgrounds. This arrangement continues to the present day with the Enniscorthy Showgrounds Company Ltd.
This is a fascinating publication that records so much history and heritage and although it focuses entirely on the Showgrounds it captures so much history and there is a fascinating series of pen-pictures remembering the personalities that progressed farming and rural pursuits from the 19th century.
My first experience was the Centenary Agricultural Show in 1970 when I worked as a young casual with Denis Hennessy providing the power and helping the trade stands function. It was a two-day event, on Wednesday and Thursday, July 22nd and 23rd.
Growing up in Bree, I knew the farming community well. In later years, while working for The Echo Newspaper, I covered ploughing matches, hunting, point-to-point racing, the ICA and Macra na Feirme. As I leafed through this fine publication, the familiar faces and biographies reminded me of the progressive people who enriched our town and countryside and deserve to be remembered.
“Enniscorthy Showgrounds; serving our community since 1870”, illustrated in monochrome and colour, A4 format, 166 pages, available at Byrnes Bookshop, Court St., Enniscorthy,
