On Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18, the Cork Summer Show will bring a sensational two-day festival of traditional competitions, food, music and entertainment for the entire family to the Show Grounds on Cork’s Curraheen Road.
With a history spanning more than two centuries, the Cork Summer Show is one of the longest-established events of its type in Ireland.
Organised by the Munster Agricultural Society (MAS), the show has been an annual event, running in some shape or form since 1806. Its expansive line-up of traditional agricultural competitions makes it a highlight of the calendar for the farming community, not just in Cork, but in Munster and beyond.
Meanwhile, its expansive range of entertainment, food fares and live music draws crowds from both urban and rural areas.
“The show is a very important focal point for the agricultural community,” said Robert Harkin, MAS president.
“But it’s more than that. The Summer Show is an opportunity for many people, who may rarely experience life on the farm, to interact with farm animals, see machinery and traditional and modern farming techniques and to meet with people involved with the sector.
“It’s a communication and educational opportunity, happening in the context of one of the most exciting festivals of the summer, full of live music, food and entertainment.”
Cork Summer Show
Throughout its long history, the Cork Summer Show has captured the zeitgeist of life in Munster – featuring some of the latest innovations in agriculture, while also being a venue for artists and performers
This year is no exception, with an outstanding music line-up that includes critically acclaimed Cork singer-songwriters Jack O’Rourke and Clare Sands, giving audiences a unique opportunity to see two rising talents on stage in a festival atmosphere.
One of Ireland’s best-known bands, Newry rockers, The 4 of Us will also be on stage on Saturday and Two-Time Polka will be bringing their distinctive sound with its roots in Cajun, Zydeco, and Bluegrass music to the Cork Summer Show.
There’s a wide range of on-stage performances, street performers and children’s entertainers.
The show has more than 20 themed zones, providing an unrivalled range of family friendly entertainment. These include a dedicated kids’ zone, a fun fare, pets and small animals and a motor zone. There is even a health and wellness zone.
A standout element of this year’s show is a much-expanded Food Village, featuring the largest outdoor food fare in Munster and an amazing opportunity to see live chef demos and explore why Cork and Munster is very much at the centre of Ireland’s food revolution.
“You are guaranteed to find something to tantalize your taste buds,” the MAS president added.
Agricultural competitions
Traditional agricultural competitions and events are always very much at the heart of the Cork Summer Show, with an impressive range of categories, including livestock, poultry and equestrian events.
“Our society was founded in 1805, with the objective of promoting agriculture, industry and science,” Robert Harkin explained.
“The show’s competitions play a very important role by creating showcase of the very best of Irish agriculture.
“They’re a benchmark in a way – showing just what can be achieved through the skill, dedication, experience, expertise of our farming communities.”
The full line-up of competition classes includes:
Cattle: Young Showmanship Class; Dairy Shorthorn; Jersey; Pedigree Holstein Friesians; Pedigree Beef Shorthorn; Pedigree Aberdeen Angus; Pedigree Hereford; Pedigree Charolais; Pedigree Simmentals; Pedigree Limousin; Pedigree Belgian Blue; Commercial Beef Cattle; Rare Breeds, as well as a breeders’ choice prize, several special prizes and an overall beef champion.
Ponies: In-hand Connemara, Ridden and Performance Connemara; Ridden Show Hunter Ponies; Pony Brood Mare and Young Stock; Welsh Ponies; Kerry Bog Ponies; Miniature Horses and Shetlands; Lead Rein and First Ridden; Open Show Pony; Family and Local Pony and working Hunger Ponies.
Equine: Riding Horses; Ridden Hunters; Brood Mares; Foals and Irish Draught; Young Horses; In-hand Coloured Horses; and Working Hunter Horses.
Poultry: There is an extensive range of poultry categories, including: Waterfowl; Hens; Turkeys; Geese; and Egg competition (including Ostrich eggs)
There are also categories for sheep, goats and pigs and a range of farming life competitions, including, Arts, Craft and Baking; Floral Art; Horticultural Competition; and Vintage Vehicles.
Sustainability
The 2023 show has a philosophy of sustainability and, with thanks to its main sponsor – Cork County Council – will be providing a Refill Mobile Hydration Station, where visitors to the show can replenish their own water bottles.
There is also full access by public transport, thanks to Bus Éireann’s special extension of the 208-bus route with a stop that brings passengers directly to the show.
“We are encouraging visitors to the show to get involved with our efforts towards sustainability,” the MAS president said.
“We are asking them to bring their own water bottles and reusable coffee cups and to help us by using segregated waste bins.
“While we have loads of parking and park and ride spaces available, the 208 bus provides a fantastic alternative way of getting to the show and we encourage people visiting the show to consider using it.”
The Cork Summer Show continues to go from strength to strength, combining a strong sense of tradition with constant evolution and this is reflected throughout the show.
MAS said it constantly looks towards innovation and the future of Irish agriculture, while taking appreciating the centuries of heritage that underlies this hugely important sector.
Get tickets for the show online by clicking here.
