Cllr Kieran McCarthy’s new book, which was commissioned by the Munster Agricultural Society, explores the history of the Society and the evolution of the former Cork Showgrounds. With roots in the early nineteenth century, the Society has had a long history, being founded in 1806 under the name County of Cork Farming Society, changing to County of Cork Agricultural Society sometime in the 1830s and evolving in 1908 to its current name.  In 1892, the Society’s agricultural shows moved from behind the city’s corn market (now City Hall) to create the Cork showgrounds.

The society has evolved as the needs of its members changed over time to incorporate what they saw as relevant to the contemporary and future of agriculture in Ireland. Each successful season is immortalised in the society’s minute books, on the society’s perpetual tournament trophies and on the numerous photos that adorn the scrapbooks held in the society’s archive collection. The Munster Agricultural Society has been a pioneer in attaining improvements in Irish agriculture and in agricultural education. Commenting Cllr McCarthy noted: “The society has contributed to technological change, broader cultural change and new areas of knowledge. But this book, through the story and pictures, is about so much more. It is about tradition, nostalgia, pride, change and continuity, promotion, inspiration, leadership, education, motivation and unfailing generosity on the part of the members of all the committees who worked tirelessly through time. This book, at its heart, is an exploration and celebration of all those ideas.”

The book Munster Agricultural Society, The Story of the Cork Showgrounds is on sale in Liam Ruiseal’s on Oliver Plunkett Street or at the offices of the Society in the Marina Commercial Park, 021 4315772. Showjumping at the Society’s new grounds at Greenfields, Ballincollig, takes place this weekend.