Tullamore Show is officially launched in 35th anniversary year
The official launch of the 2026 Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show has taken place, marking a significant milestone as the event celebrates 35 years as Ireland’s premier agricultural showcase.
The show will return to the Butterfield Estate, near Blueball, on Sunday, August 9. Last year, enormous crowds from all across the country flocked to the event, with an estimated total attendance of around 70,000.
This year’s launch placed a strong emphasis on generational renewal within Irish agriculture, recognising the vital role of succession planning to help shape the future of farming survival, with the venue at Butterfield Estate described by organisers as "providing the perfect setting for what is expected to be a stand-out event in the agricultural calendar, drawing exhibitors, competitors and visitors from across the country and abroad".
With a packed programme featuring top-class livestock competitions, trade exhibitions and family entertainment, the 2026 show is set to honour the proud legacy of the show "while looking strongly to the future".
Last year, show chairman John Keena described it as "the best show ever" with the attendance breaking previous records. Indeed, he joked at the time that the only complaint he had heard throughout the day was that the outdoor dance floor "wasn't big enough" to accommodate the hordes of toe-tapping revellers who were anxious to strut their stuff in the sunshine.
This year's launch also focused heavily on the Halloway family, based in Horseleap and its herd known as the Gageboro Herefords.
A family steeped in a love of farming that now spans four generations, Hugh Holloway started the Gageboro Hereford herd back in 1927 and it was then developed further by John Holloway. Its tradition is continued and today the herd is proudly carried forward by Lisa, her husband Niall Daly and the next generation of Cillian, Alannah and Conall.
Gageboro Herefords continues to place strong focus on producing commercially viable livestock for all markets and high-performing cattle with strong emphasis on careful selection to ensure cows remain productive, fertile and structurally sound.
At the launch, Chelsey Cox McDonald, secretary of the show, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming event.
"We are delighted to celebrate 35 years of the Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show. Our partnership with FBD Insurance has stood the test of time and we are incredibly grateful for their continued support," she said.
"As we look ahead to August, we are especially excited to highlight a strong focus on generation renewal and future-proofing our farming industry and the challenges that lie ahead."
FBD’s National Head of Branch Strategy, Emer O’Byrne said: “FBD is delighted to once again sponsor The Tullamore Show. We have a long-standing relationship with this event that goes right back to its inception. It is always a huge highlight in our annual calendar and we look forward to another fantastic day in August."
Meanwhile, Lisa Daly, of Gageboro Herefords, shared some fond memories, saying: "Show days have always been special to us. It started with my grandad going with my father to the RDS, where they enjoyed meeting other breeders and seeing the quality of stock each year.
"It's also great for the next generation to enjoy these events and take the winning and losing with a smile. Today, Gageboro Herefords continues to grow as a pedigree herd, with a clear focus on maintaining the high standards that have defined the farm for nearly a century."
Further details on schedules and events for the Tullamore Show & FBD National Livestock Show will be announced in the coming months.