Connacht Truck Show returns to Claremorris
THE third running of the Connacht Truck Show will be held at Claremorris Athletic Track and Showgrounds on Saturday, June 3 (June bank holiday weekend).
Event organiser Fleet Transport magazine has selected a new date at a venue used previously in order not to clash with other locally held events. Mayo Roscommon Hospice has been selected as the designated charity for this popular event.
“The Claremorris Athletic Track and Showgrounds, situated 1km from Claremorris town centre, was once the venue of horsepower of a different kind, as the vast site was a popular racecourse in the early part of the last century. A poster promoting the Claremorris Races on June 3, 1904, was subtitled ‘The Great Annual Re-Union of the West’, a feat that the Connacht Truck Show aims to emulate on June 3.
“It is the perfect location, offering ample display areas for the trucks, and trade stands, plus plenty of space for kiddies activities,” explained Jarlath Sweeney, group editor, Fleet Publications.
Connacht Truck Show 2023 will have a number of interesting elements, including gleaming haulage truck displays and classic and vintage trucks jamborees, while there will be a number of top prizes on offer for the most impressive exhibits.
The one-day gathering will feature trucks of all ages, shapes and sizes. Not only will it feature vehicles from road transport operators from all around the province, but many exhibitors will be travelling from further afield. That will include a number of hauliers crossing the Irish Sea to exhibit their everyday working trucks.
The big prize - Top Truck of the Show - selected by show visitors, will once again be dedicated to local truck driving legend the late Paddy Kelly.
A selection of food trucks, mobile coffee units and ice cream vans will also be on site, in addition to clothing and merchandise stalls, plus vehicle care products.
In looking forward to the event, Martina Jennings, CEO, Mayo Roscommon Hospice, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be chosen as the partner charity for the Connacht Truck Show. We fund palliative care services through fundraised income so events like this are vital to ensuring we can continue to do this.
“We are so grateful to Fleet Transport and all involved, and wish them the very best of luck with what we are sure will be a very successful day.”
Two themes will run throughout this one-day event: truck driver welfare and business networking.
As truck drivers can be susceptible to various health issues because of the nature of their work, there will be a health check clinic hosted in association with the hospice and the Order of Malta open to show visitors throughout the day, with advice on blood pressure, prostate and skin cancer, diabetes, heart problems, etc.
In addition, the trade stands exhibiting inside and outside the indoor facility are there to do business with truck drivers, fleet operators and show visitors on the day.
“Interested parties are urged to register in advance of the event to assure entry, which is open to tractor-units and rigid trucks only. Trade stands are also welcome to register at this time,” added Jarlath.
Entry forms regarding truck displays can be downloaded on https://fleet.ie/.