It’s feared Clare’s agricultural shows will soon begin closing down for good, if the level of state funding isn’t significantly increased.
Figures released by the government show that the level of funding has dropped by €2,000 per show for this year, meaning a total of €45,000 will be handed out to nine shows in Clare versus €63,000 last year.
Minister for Rural & Community Development Michael Ring says the higher hand-out last year was a once off, in recognition of the struggle of previous years.
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Joe Lillis is chairperson of the County Clare Agricultural Show Society, which receives no state funding – but he fears this is compounding the issue of low funding:
