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Starting point

The very first Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) Farm Machinery Show took place in February 1989 against a backdrop of skepticism from certain quarters within the industry who deemed the timing to be wrong, and who believed that attendances would be low. As we count down to the 34th biennial event, we look back on those earliest days when the concept became a reality
Pictured at the opening of the Farm Machinery Show at the Royal Dublin Society on Monday, February 6, 1989: Geoff Daly, president of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association; Matt Dempsey, editor, Irish Farmers Journal; the late Michael O’Kennedy, Minister for Agriculture and Food; and the late John Perry, JR Perry Ltd, Athy, Co. Kildare.

The staging of the first biennial FTMTA Farm Machinery Show, which was opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Food at the time, Michael O'Kennedy, in February 1989, was the culmination of five years of dissatisfaction due to existing exhibition facilities and the changing nature of the farm machinery trade resulting in more complex technological advances, which called for a different, more specialised presentation.

The then FTMTA president, Geoff Daly, accompanied by Michael Moroney, who was machinery editor of the Irish Farmers Journal at the time, travelled to the Netherlands in 1988 and met with the organisers of the Landbouw RAI agricultural machinery show in Amsterdam. The meeting provided advice on the requirements that would ensure a successful show. On returning home, a plan was put together, which resulted in a series of meetings with Irish trade representatives, and an agreement with the RDS to organise and manage the show at their indoor Simmonscourt Exhibition facility in Ballsbridge, Dublin, on behalf of the FTMTA.

Right time, right place

For many years, the farm-machinery trade had been conscious of the need for an exclusive farm-machinery show at the right time of the year. The timing of this show in February provided an ideal opportunity for farmers and contractors to assess their machinery needs when the pressure on farm work was not at its greatest. It also provided farmers and contractors the local opportunity to view new equipment that would have been introduced previously at the large European machinery exhibitions. Timing was also influenced by the end of the financial year when customers made up their minds to avail of capital allowances in their tax bills. The February date also gave the farm-machinery trade an earlier indication of the machinery requirements of their customers so that supplies could be made available in good time for the new season. In order to stage the show, a separate company, FTMTA Exhibitions Ltd., was formed by the show committee, composed of Geoff Daly, Jim Larkin, Shay Lynch, Pat Lyons and chaired by the late John Perry. 

FTMTA members initially expressed some skepticism about the show, considering the risk of failure too high and the market outlook uncertain. However, at the first show, 90 per cent of the available show space was filled, with an overall attendance of 9,000 which fully vindicated the organisers. The second FTMTA Machinery Show, held in 1991, was 100 per cent sold out with an attendance of 11,000 and the third biennial show, held in 1993, was even more successful, with the attendance rising to 13,500 and firmly establishing the FTMTA Farm Machinery Show in the show calendar. 

Subsequent FTMTA Farm Machinery Shows, now held at the Punchestown Event Centre near Naas, Co. Kildare, have been equally well supported by the farm-machinery trade and have enjoyed continued rising customer attendances. And here we are, 34 years later!

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