The Glenamaddy and District Ploughing and Agricultural Show 2026 is set to return on Sunday, October 4.

This year’s event will take place in the Equestrian Centre in Glenamaddy, Co. Galway.

The programme of events was unveiled at the launch of this year's show by committee chair Padraig Collins.

He explained that along with the traditional and livestock and sheep shows, there are new additions.

These include the speakers’ tent, which will feature a line-up of speakers sharing advice, practical tips and expert insights on everything from farming and gardening to sustainability, rural life and more.

Other new additions include the household and garden sections, which will display the best in produce from home and further afield.

Ploughing competitions

One of the highlights of any ploughing show is the National Ploughing Association competitions and this year also sees the return of the All-Ireland Tractor Pulling Finals.

Organisers were delighted to confirm the return of another event: Pa McHugh almost broke the World Record for ploughing an acre of land last year, and he will attempt it again on October 4.

The record for ploughing an acre, according to the Guinness Book of Records, still stands at nine minutes, 49.88 seconds, set by Joe Langcake at Hornby Hall in Cumbria using a Case IH 7140 Magnum tractor and a Kverneland four-furrow plough.

In his attempt last year, McHugh was just 44 seconds off the record but four minutes faster than his previous attempt a year earlier.

Other highlights

Also back by popular demand are the helicopter rides (weather permitting).

Other highlights include the Kids Play Zone that will feature Ireland’s largest inflatable slide.

There will also be vintage cars, and machinery and tractors on display for the more mature vistors.

Music fans might be interested in the return of Gerry Guthrie along with Stuart Moyles and “JCB Man” Seamus Moore.

At the launch of this year's show, all speakers pointed to the affordability of the event, which will only cost €15 for the full day.

Anyone interested in entering the competitions for the different classes can do so on the Glenamaddy Show website, which is now live.