Cork’s summer show marks new era with change in venue

THE 168-year-old Cork Summer Show will begin another exciting era when it is held at a new venue in Ballincollig on June 20/21.

For the past 108 years the event has been held at the Munster Agricultural Society’s showgrounds in Ballintemple, having earlier been located in Cornmarket Street, Anglesea Street and Cork Racetrack, now the Marina Commercial Park.

The 2008 show was the last to have been held at the traditional 22 acre Ballintemple site, prior to it being developed, with the result that a new home for the popular event had to be sought.

A new 60-acre showgrounds, just off the Ballincollig Bypass, will be the 2009 venue for the show. Gerard Murphy, president of the Munster Agricultural Society, said Cork Summer Show has been an important social and trade feature in the life of Munster for generations.

Ballincollig Business Association chairwoman Mary O’Mahony said the community was proud to be associated with such an historic event.

Details of the show, which were announced last evening in Ballincollig, combine traditional agricultural and equine events, including cattle and horse classes, with social activities, entertainment and other attractions.

Henrietta Knight, who trained Best Mate to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup three times, will be the international judge in the Connemara Pony class. There will also be an inter-hunt chase and pony club races.

To reflect the rising popularity of allotment gardening, Peter Dowdall will be on hand with tips on how to coax the best from the vegetable patch, herb garden and fruit trees. He will also team up with celebrity chef Andy Isley to show children how to plant and care for fruit trees, harvest the fruit and make a delicious tart from the home grown produce.

There will be tips on how to give homes a makeover on a budget from interior designer Stephen Dunne, winner of RTÉ’s Show House Challenge.

There will be a farmers’ market offering artisan breads, cheese, olives, honey and cakes, and a busking competition with €1,000 in prizes. Sunday will be the “glam day” with prizes for the best dressed ladies and gents, sponsored by Michel Jewellers and Suit Distributors.

There will also be a most creative hat competition.