Following a two-year hiatus due to Covid restrictions, the Elphin Agricultural Show returns for its 43rd staging this weekend. The show will take place at the Elphin Mart grounds on Saturday, August 27th.
The show was officially launched earlier on Thursday, August 11th, in An Bothar Rua. The show chairperson, Thomas Gormley, spoke at the launch, outlining this year’s programme and giving thanks to the show’s sponsors. He said he hopes that following the two-year absence, the upcoming show will be able to match the success of previous years.
“I hope everyone who attends will have an enjoyable day, as you will receive a céad míle fáilte”, he said. “We look forward to a fine day for the Elphin Agricultural Show”.
The programme of events for this year’s show is jam-packed. In addition to the wide selection of special events going on, there are a range of competitions taking place, with €40,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Competitions and classes are set to run for cattle, sheep, dogs, horses, ponies, pets and poultry, farm and garden produce, cookery, handcrafts, and photography. The full range of competitions (and the respective prize funds on offer for each) can be found on the show’s website, elphinshow.com.
Another draw of the Elphin Agricultural Show is the myriad of family fun events taking place on the day. This year, these include jive lessons and competitions (courtesy of Gerald Butler), exhibitions and talks, bouncy castles, a bonny baby competition, the Little Miss and Master competitions, a parent and child look-alike competition, and competitions for the title of Miss Teen Elphin 2022, Most Glamorous Granny, Most Appropriately Dressed Lady, and Best Dressed Gentlemen. Kiltimagh Pet Farm will be there on the day with some furry friends in tow, and there will also be a performance at 1 pm by magician Andy James, who has performed for the likes of Simon Cowell and Sir Richard Branson!
In addition to all these events, the day will be rounded off with the Show Dance, which takes place from 9.30 pm until late in An Bothar Rua. Music on the night will be provided by accomplished singer and Ballaghaderreen native Regina McDermott. Admission cost is €10 per person.
A Monster Raffle will also take place during the Show Dance, with over €2,000 in prizes up for grabs. First prize is a weanling heifer (or cash equivalent), second prize is a Kilronan Castle experience (a one night’s stay for two people, including breakfast, a six-course evening meal in the award-winning Douglas Hyde Restaurant, treatments in the Elemis Spa, and complementary access to the Themal Suites), third prize is €200, fourth prize is €100, and fifth and sixth prize is €50. Many more prizes will be available on the night. Tickets cost €10 each, or €20 for three, and can be bought online ahead of the show.
The upcoming 43rd Elphin Agricultural Show is set to be a wonderful event, jam-packed with events for all the family. For more information, visit the show’s website, elphinshow.ie, or find the show on Facebook and Twitter.
