Event will be held on September 3rd
After the Covid-restricted period of two years when all agricultural shows in Ireland were cancelled, the return of the Mountbellew Agricultural Show has been met with a great response by the general public. The show, which was launched last Friday, will be held on Saturday, September 3rd, 2022.
The Mountbellew Agricultural Show Committee, under the chairmanship of Frank Collevy, have planned a total revamp of the event, which will be held on the grounds of the Agricultural College.
As part of the revamp, the range of free children’s activities are set to be increased. Activities will include milking ‘Daisy the robot cow’, a Grand Prix, racing of toy tractors and toy motor cars, the children’s tug o’war competition, face-painting, art displays, and sand castle building, to name but a few. The children’s pony riding event will also be a huge attraction.
A wool demonstration will focus on the efforts being made by Blanaid Gallagher (from Aughrim, Ballinasloe) to increase the price of wool and encourage recognition of its real value for the benefit of the sheep farmers. This demonstration will run in conjunction with the All-Ireland Final of the Galway Ewe Lamb competition.
Another massive event this year is the Connacht Pedigree Final, which will decide the best male animal across all breeds, born on or after the 1st of September 2021. This new competition has a total prize fund of €1000, and is sponsored by Coyle’s SuperValu. Chief Cattle Steward Tom Finnerty says that he expects more than 150 cattle across forty classes.
Another new exciting class this year is the North West Limousin Club calf finals, which is being held for registered males and females born on or after the 1st of September 2021. The newly-introduced breeder’s choice for traditional four or five star breeding heifer carries a prize fund of €750 and is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture.
The number of horses entered this year has increased and this year’s show will include the Traditional Irish Sport Horse Foal All-Ireland Championship, carrying a total prize fund of €2,500.
Show Secretary Dympna Naughton reports that a magnificent parade of ‘Mad Hats’ will also take place (men and women). The only criteria is that they look daft and outrageous!
The show will also feature a Fastest Family event. Teams will be competing in ring throwing, turf footing, milking ‘Daisy the robot cow’, and tossing the wellington. This much-anticipated competition will conclude with rolling the bale.
In his concluding remarks at Friday’s launch, chairperson Frank Collevy said that there will be adequate free parking, and highlighted that the modest entry fee of €10 per adult has not changed over recent years, and the entry fee for all children remains free.
The show will be officially opened by Dr Edna Curley, Agricultural College Principal, at 11.30 am.
Entries and enquiries
The latest date for general entries is Saturday, August 27th, while entries for children’s competitions will be taken on the day. For all dog classes, the entry fee is €3, but entries taken on the day will cost €5 per dog. Entries can be made online.
For enquiries, contact the Show Secretary on 085 7606000. More details on mountbellewagrishow.ie, or on the show’s Facebook page.
