There is a host of agricultural shows scheduled to take place across the country this weekend.
This article looks at what will be on from Wicklow to Galway and all shows to the north of these counties.
With the weather expected to be reasonably warm and dry over the weekend, there are no excuses for being bored over the coming days with the following line-up.
Carnew and District Agricultural Show
First off the mark, the Carnew and District Agricultural Show will kick-off at Carnew, Co. Wicklow, tomorrow, July 15, from 11:00am. The 71st event of its kind, the Carnew Show has a range of competitions planned for the day, including livestock shows that boast a new poultry section.
There will also be an indoor event for baking, flowers, art, crafts, photography and country produce. And, for pet enthusiasts, there will be a dog show too. Admission is €5 for adults, while children go free.
Castlewellan Show
Also taking place in Co. Down tomorrow is the Castlewellan Show – which will begin at 9:00am at Castlewellan Forest Park. There will be livestock classes for cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, pigs, horses and ponies, as well as donkeys, rabbits, dog agility and home industries.
There will also be vintage tractor displays, fashion shows, trade stands, food and craft producers and live music on the day, among other pursuits. Admission to the show, which is celebrating its 50th year, costs £10.
Innishowen Agricultural Show
The Innishowen Agricultural Show is back for the 105th time this year at Riverdale, Carndonagh, Co. Donegal, kicking off tomorrow at 10:00am.
There will be competitions for cattle, sheep, horses, goats, donkeys and dogs in the animal categories. Also set to feature at the show are farm produce (butter, eggs, vegetables, fruit and honey), and pot plants and flowers. In addition, there will be a home industries exhibition along with activities like carriage driving, photography and amateur painting.
The day will host a series of qualifier rounds for all-Ireland competitions for suckler heifers, domestic arts, amateur painting and dog skills.
Sligo County Show
In Riverstown Community Park, Riverstown, Co. Sligo, tomorrow will bring the Sligo County Agricultural Show to the fore.
The event will feature various livestock categories, as well as home industries and home crafts contests. There will also be a ‘bonny baby’ competition in addition to fashion shows for women and children. The day will feature live music and dancing, with MEP Mairead McGuinness scheduled to officially open the show at 1:30pm.
Granard Agricultural Show
Also on tomorrow is the Granard Agricultural Show at the Granard GAA Sports Complex, Higginstown, Granard, Co. Longford. With gates opening at 8:00am, the day will be getting underway good and early.
The show, which is in its 65th year, will feature a range of livestock competitions, as well as a dog show and a special primary schools art and craft competition. There are a lot of entries – particularly in the horse and cattle categories, which are scheduled to take place at 12:00pm and 1:00pm, respectively.
The event will feature a national qualifier round for the Irish draft mare class too.
Loughrea Agricultural Show
Scheduled for both tomorrow and Sunday is the Loughrea Agricultural Show, at the Loughrea Showgrounds, Moyleen, Co. Galway.
This show will primarily focus on horse and pony showjumping and showing, but there will also be a dog show and various competitions and displays for arts and crafts, photography and home produce. The horse jumping will take place tomorrow, while the pony jumping and the main show itself is pencilled in for Sunday, with registration from 9.30am.
Oldcastle Agricultural Show
Moving onto Sunday, July 16, the 78th annual Oldcastle Agricultural Show will be held at Gilson Park, Oldcastle, Co. Meath.
There will be over 350 classes in categories such as cattle, sheep, horses, goats, poultry, dogs, novelties and home industries. In addition, there will be more than 100 trade stands with a range of local products.
In an impressive line-up of events, the day will feature: a ‘tug-o-war’ competition; a craft and food village; live music; a gun club terrier and lurcher racing event; a fashion show; birds of prey; free children’s entertainment; and the Midlands Regional Final of the Irish Shows Association Home Cook Competition 2017.
For the list of weekend shows scheduled for the south of the country, click here.