Saturday had seen a slow enough start to the historic event, with heavy rain keeping many visitors away. The gate takings on Saturday were down slightly on last year, but all events went ahead as scheduled.

"And we've certainly made up for it today, " said chairman, Cllr Leo Walsh, surveying the huge after-lunch attendance on Sunday.

Despite Saturday's rainfall, all show jumping events went ahead. "We pulled out all the stops to ensure that the courses would be in good condition for the jumpers," said Eithne Gleeson, of the showjumping committee.

However, some competitors in the Grand Prix, the main jumping event of the show, found the course "sticky", resulting in a number of time faults for many competitors. Sponsored by Equimax, it was won by veteran showjumper, Francis Connors who now heads the Grand Prix League on 59 points, three ahead of his nearest rival, Tholm Keane.

The Limerick Leader cup, one of the oldest trophies connected with the showjumping, was presented on Saturday to Tralee rider Maire Cunningham, by Limerick Leader editor, Alan English.

The cattle show was the biggest ever held in Limerick, with over 600 cattle on exhibit.

For city folk there was a huge range of attractions. One of the most popular was the Farmers Market, organised by Shannon Development for the first time at the show.

The best dressed woman was Sonya Heidrich from Curraghchase, who stole the show with a hat she designed herself and which was made in Germany. Mitchelstown farmer, Tom O'Donnell, in a Magee suit, was the best dressed man.

For more, see Monday's Limerick Leader tabloid edition.