Transcribed by Jane from The Newry Telegraph Friday, September 4, 1829.
North-East Farming Society of Ireland — County of Armagh District Show.
The District Show of the County Armagh was held in Armagh, on Thursday last. Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, there was a most numerous attendance of the members of the Society. The different descriptions of cattle were of a most superior kind, and they were collected from all the branches of the country. Among the horses, a most beautiful horse of Lord GOSFORD’s, one of Mr. BROWN’s, and another of Mr. JOHNSTON’s, attracted particular attention. Of brood mares, two year old colts and fillies, there was a numerous collection, of a most beautiful kind. The show of bulls was much greater than on any former occasion; those of the Hon. Henry CAULFEILD, Sir James STRONGE, Bart., and Mr. JOHNSTON, of Knappa, were particularly admired for their beauty. The number of dairy cows was much greater than ordinary and their appearance fully testified their superior quality: among these, the cows of Mr. CHRISTIE, Mr. JOHNSTON and Mr. CLOSE, were the most remarkable. Of two and three year old heifers, there was a great number. There were several uncommonly fine boars and brood sows: those of Mr. CLOSE, Mr. WILKINS and Mr. MURRAY, were particularly fine. A litter of pigs, which Mr. MURRAY sent to the show-ground, were immediately sold at a guinea each, and a great many more, of the same breed, are engaged at the same price.
The following is the decision of the Judges: — For the best stallion, Captain JOHNSTON, Knappa, obtained the medal; the first premium was awarded to Mr. Turner BROWN, of the Lurgan branch — and the second to Mr. Isaac WILSON, of the Tynan branch.
For brood mares, Mr. John MARTIN, of the Tynan branch, got the first premium — and Mr. William CARDWELL, of the Armagh branch, the second.
For two year old colts and fillies, Mr. Joseph GASKIN, of the Lurgan branch, got the first premium — and Mr. John MARTIN, the second.
For the best bull, of any description, Mr. CAULFEILD got the medal; for the short horned breed, the first premium was adjudged to Mr. ATKINSON, of the Loughgilly branch — and the second to Mr. William ARMSTRONG, of the Tynan branch; the premium for the best long-horned bull was obtained by Mr. Joseph GASKIN, of the Lurgan branch.
For the best dairy cow, the medal was awarded to Mr. CHRISTY; the first premium to Mr. Robert HARDY — and the second to Mr. Samuel GARDNER.
For three year old heifers, Mr. CHRISTY got the medal – and Mr. CARDWELL the first premium. For two year old heifers, Mr. William MURRAY got the first premium.
For the best boar, Mr. CLOSE got the medal; Mr. James WILKINS, of the Armagh branch, got the first premium — and Mr. Thomas M’WILLIAMS, of the Armagh branch, the second.
For the best sow, Mr. James WILKINS, of the Armagh branch, got the first premium – and Mr. M’MURRAY the second.
For the best butter, Mr. R. CULLY, of Mullaglass, got the first premium — Mr. William MURRAY, of Armagh, the second – and Mr. John COULTER, of Mullaglass, the third.
The weather was extremely unfavourable. — The attendance, however, was most numerous and respectable. Among the members present, we observed the Hon Henry CAULFEILD, Acheson ST.GEORGE, Esq., Rev. James JONES, Rev. Mr. MANGIN, Maxwell CLOSE, Esq., James JOHNSTON, Esq., A.I.KELLY, Esq., &c.&c.
Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, which prevented the members who resided at a distance from remaining in town, drenched as they were with rain, more than eighty individuals sat down to an excellent and substantial dinner, in the ball-room of the Tontine buildings, provided by Mr. M’KENNA.
The Earl of GOSFORD presided on the occasion, with his wonted urbanity, excellent tact, and dignified condescension; and was ably supported by the Vice-President, A.I.KELLY. Esq. Among the toasts given from the chair, were the following: —
The King. — The Duke of Clarence and the Navy. — The Lord Lieutenant and prosperity to Ireland. — His Grace the Lord Primate.
The Rev. Mr. MANGIN returned thanks on behalf of the Primate.
The North East Society of Ireland. — Lord Caledon and the North West Branch. — The Judges of the day.
Mr. KANE returned thanks.
The successful candidates. — The unsuccessful candidates.
Mr. KELLY, the Sovereign of Armagh, here availed himself of the opportunity of the pause which took place in the proceedings, when the awards of the Judges had been announced, and after a deserved eulogium upon Lord GOSFORD, he proposed the health of the Noble Chairman. After the long-continued cheering with which this toast was received had subsided, his Lordship addressed the meeting to the following effect: –
Mr. Vice-President and Gentlemen, I trust I am not deficient in feeling, and yet I find it impossible to express in words, the gratitude which I feel for the manner in which my health has been introduced and received on the present occasion. — But, though I cannot give utterances to my feelings, I am sure you will believe me when I say, that my warmest wishes are given to the prosperity and welfare of this neighbourhood. The place where my earliest and happiest days were spent must be dear to me, and I trust I shall be able to spend the remainder of my life in a place where my inclination, my happiness and my duty, call upon me to reside. I need not enlarge, in an assembly such as the present, upon the advantages which are derived from associations such as that which has assembled us together this evening. — This much, however, I will say, that in no places have farming societies been established without promoting the interests of the people at large, by increasing and extending those comforts which are absolutely essential to the best interests of the country. I hope, therefore, we will persevere in our exertions. I say this, not because I feel a doubt of our relaxing in our exertions; but because I wish, if possible, to give a new impulse to society, in which our hearts, and our feelings, and our best interests, are all united. I hope this society will give a stimulus to the others which are connected with it; and I augur well from the zeal which its members have this day displayed. Nothing but their zeal for the furtherance of the objects of this Society could have induced its members to have exposed themselves to the severity of the weather to-day. You will do me the justice of believing, that in that zeal I warmly participate, and that I feel it to be my bounden duty to assist my fellow-men in promoting every institution which has for its object the promotion of harmony and good-will among all conditions and ranks — the amelioration of society — and the promotion of our mutual welfare, so long as we continue sojourners here. I return you, Mr. Vice-President and Gentlemen, my most sincere thanks; I have the honor of drinking each of your healths, and while I thank you again and again, I beg you to accept my most sincere wishes for your happiness and welfare.
After several other toasts had been given, the Noble Chairman proposed “the health of the Sovereign of Armagh.” Words, he said, were more often specious than solid: facts and actions speak for themselves. He had only to tell the meeting to look around this noble and spacious room in which they were sitting, and to look abroad in this rising and improving city, for the best and highest eulogium that could be passed on Mr. KELLY.
This toast was received with the most enthusiastic cheering. Mr. KELLY replied in brief, but appropriate terms. He said that if he had been able to render any service to his fellow-citizens, he had been more than requited. The interests of every class in society were intimately connected; and in promoting the interests, and improving the market, of the city of Armagh, he felt convinced that he was advancing the interests of the farmers in the neighbourhood. When he had the pleasure of meeting them last year, on a similar occasion, he had promised them the accommodation which they now enjoyed; the energy and cordial co-operation of his fellow-citizens had enabled him to make good his promise; and he trusted that all whom he had the honor of addressing would long live to enjoy the fruits of their public spirit and industry.
The healths of the Marquis of Downshire, Earl CHARLEMONT, and General THORNTON, were next given. “The town and trade of Armagh” — “Live and let live,” — together with other appropriate toasts, — were given from the chair. — Several excellent songs were sung by some of the Gentlemen present; and after the Noble Chairman and the assembly had drank to their “next merry meeting,” they all retired about eleven o’clock.