A large crowd gathered at The Percy French Hotel in Strokestown last Thursday night for the official launch of the 151st Strokestown Show.
Committee members were joined by local representatives, cattle society members, Elphin and Roscommon show committee members as well as Deputy Eugene Murphy, Senator Maura Hopkins and Council Cathaoirleach Orla Leyden.
This year’s Show, which will play host to 23 All-Ireland Finals, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, September 9th and 10th on the grounds of Strokestown Park House.
Saturday will see the Cattle Show starting with the Hereford section. Also on Saturday, the All-Ireland Irish Angus Finals with a prize fund of €10,000 will take place.
There will also be All-Ireland Finals for Shorthorn and Simmental and the Limousin section will have points awarded towards National Male and Female for 2017.
There will also be a vibrant Commercial section with prize-money provided by the Sweeney family and Greenvale.
The Sheep section, also on Saturday, will include classes for Suffolk, Texel, Charollais and Zwartbles. There will also be a full Commercial section and all classes will have a champion and reserve. A Supreme Champion of the Show will also be crowned on the day.
There will also be classes in Farm & Garden Produce, Flowers, Fruit & Vegetables, Hay & Pasture, Turf, Adult & Junior Cookery and Adult & Junior Handcrafts on the opening day of the Show.
Sunday will be an action-packed day at Strokestown Show with a Horse & Pony Show which will include the Registered Irish Draught section. The Poultry section will also take place on Sunday as well as the ever-popular Dog Show.
This year’s Best Dressed Lady is sponsored by Luna Accessories and will be judged by well-known comedian Katherine Lynch. The winner will receive €500. There will also be prizes for Best Dressed Gent, Glamorous Granny, Little Miss and Little Master (5-10 years) and Bonny Baby.
Organisers were also delighted to confirm that the Roscommon County Council Boyle Municipal District has provided funding for this year’s Food Fair.
Flavours from the Heart of Ireland Food Fair will take place across both days and will feature award-winning chefs Neven Maguire, Gary O’Hanlon, My Nutrition, Vinny Meldrum and Adrian Gill as well as over 50 artisan food and drink producers.
Murray Amusements are newcomers to the Strokestown Show this year and will provide fun for all the family with bumper cars and a ferris wheel as well as other amusements.
This year’s Show is once again jam-packed with events and promises to be another hugely enjoyable weekend for the entire family to enjoy.
