Preparations intensify for Tullamore Show
The countdown is on for August 14 where all roads lead to the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show.
The site is currently being transformed into a tented village and all preparations are well underway.
The show will be officially opened by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue. Many other dignitaries will be in attendance. Offaly’s own Olivia Douglas will entertain the throngs of spectators with many other musical acts at various times throughout the day.
The dairy section has an impressive prize fund of over €21,000. This section hosts a total for 40 classes, including 2 new classes, across three breeds, Holstein Friesian, Jersey and Dairy Shorthorn. The classes of note include - Class 51: Super €2,500 National Holstein Heifer in Milk and Class 52: €2,500 FBD National Livestock Show Senior Cow in Milk.
The pedigree section has four breeds (Limousine, Hereford, Simmental, Charolais) holding their National Show in Tullamore.
There are young members’ classes and young handlers’ classes throughout the show to encourage young people to carry on the tradition of showing cattle.
Commercial cattle boast five new classes male/female calf class weighing up to 270kg, calves other than BBX, LMX, CHX, best Angus beef animal, factory classes including Dawn Meats, Kepak, Moyvalley Meats & Liffey Meats, Young Handler classes.
The sheep section has the biggest number of entries on record with new breeds being accommodated like Blue Faced Leicester, Irish Dutch Spotted and Dassenkop. Here it will be a hive of activity with sheep shearing demos, mental health talks by George Graham and sheep dog demos.
In addition there will be alpacas and their many crias a sight to behold, while The Irish Pig Society hold its All-Ireland Championship.
Entries in the horse section are up this year and for the first time ever, entries will be taken on show morning. The most elegant class is the Ladies Side Saddle.
Meanwhile, the Fashion Arena will have shows throughout the day and competitions for the best dressed lady, the most traditionally dressed Farmer and Bonny Baby with amazing prizes to be won.
There are also classes for dogs including obedience classes and even a class for the waggiest tail. The indoor sections including crafts, vegetables and flowers.
As usual there will be cookery competitions including mouth-watering cakes breads and scones and the final of the Odlums Home Baking Championship. For the first time ever Odlums will launch The Odlums Pavilion at 10am with Chef Adrian Martin and Catherine Leyden giving talks and demos throughout the day. Also, at 4pm Maria Harte will give a cookery demo on quick smart, healthy and money saving baked lunches. The Junior final of the All-Ireland Home Cook Champion also takes place.
Other attractions include art and photography, poultry competitions, farm safety demos and Macra Farm skills, workshops to help you gain the skills to be prize-winners at shows, and not forgetting the hundreds of trade stands offering all you will need for home, business, garden or farm, children’s entertainment and food village.
Tickets are on sale now www.tullamoreshow.com online for €20 or on the day for €25. Why not skip the Q and scan it through? Tullamore Show really is a great family day out with free entry for children under 12.
Check out the show social media accounts for updates.