Tullamore Show to draw bumper crowd
Matters agriculture (and more!) will dominate the Tullamore landscape on Sunday when up to 70,000 people flock to this year's Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show at the Butterfield Estate at Blueball.
The Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, officially opens the show at 12pm, while An Taoiseach Micheál Martin will also attend the event which this year celebrates 35 years as Ireland’s premier agricultural showcase and is widely regarded as Europe's biggest one-day agricultural show.
Ferbane suckler farmer and former Offaly IFA chairman, John Keena, who is now in the second year of his term as chairman of Tullamore Show said the "final preparations" are being put in place for this year's spectacle and is very much looking forward to a "busy, but successful day" on site at Butterfield Estate.
With the "weather looking good", the chairperson is expecting an attendance "in the region of 70,000" to flock to Butterfield Estate on Sunday.
"We are coming to the end of our preparations for this year's show following three weeks on site at Butterfield Estate. With the recent spell of weather the ground is firm and ensuring that we are looking forward to hosting the best possible show on Sunday," the chairperson said.
This year's show places a strong emphasis on generational renewal within Irish agriculture, recognising the vital role of succession planning to help shape the future of farming survival.
The venue at Butterfield Estate is 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 the FBD National Livestock Show, top-class livestock competitions, trade exhibitions, food, fashion, live music and family entertainment, the 2026 show is set to honour the proud legacy of the show "while looking strongly to the future".
Tullamore Show has a prize fund of €180,000, and the chairperson said entries are “well up on last year” in all classes, so he expects competition to be “very keen” across all competitions.
"There will also be a focus on the role of women in agriculture and volunteerism within our industry, without whom, we would not be in a position to host such a sizeable show on an annual basis," John said.
The Sustainable Livestock Village returns to the Tullamore Show for the fourth successive year. Now a key feature of proceedings, the village provides farmers with practical advice, demonstrations and farmer-led discussions focused on improving sustainability and resilience on Irish livestock farms.
Farm Safety Live also returns to the Tullamore Show for the eleventh consecutive year. Live and interactive farm safety demonstrations will take place from 10am on show morning, offering hands-on, practical demonstrations with the aim of helping to reduce the number of accidents involving farm vehicles, machinery, and livestock.
Reflecting on the array of attractions across the Butterfield Estate, the chairperson said the show appeals to "both the agriculture and non-agriculture community".
"You certainly won't be bored at the Tullamore Show, that's for sure," John quipped.
There will be free parking in the vicinity of the show grounds with motorists being directed along four dedicated routes to four separate car parks. The chairperson added that shuttle buses will regularly run from O'Connor Square and Tullamore rail station to Butterfield Estate throughout the day.
The chairperson paid tribute to the owners of Butterfield Estate, Stephen and Anne Marie McQuade, with whom Tullamore Show continues to have a positive relationship.
He also expressed his gratitude to the sponsors of this year's event, paying particular compliment to long-time partners FBD with whom Tullamore Show renewed its partnership for a further five years in February of this year.
"Our show depends on its sponsors. We were grateful to renew our contract with FBD earlier this year and we are delighted that our partnership will continue for the immediate future. Along with FBD, the support of received from all our sponsors is essential towards the running of Tullamore Show and we are extremely grateful for their backing," the chairperson added.
Looking towards Sunday's showpiece occasion for the agriculture industry in Offaly, the chairperson is very keen to stress that Tullamore Show is the “perfect day out for all the family” and with that in mind is encouraging everyone to “come out and enjoy the day”.