Tullamore Show to attract 7,500 entries

Some of the finest cattle in Europe will be on view at the country’s biggest one-day agricultural show, the Tullamore Show, on Sunday.

They will be competing in the National Livestock Show which is the central feature of an overall event that is expected to attract over 60,000 people.

Tullamore Show will have 7,500 entries in 1,000 competitions with a prize fund of €168,000 across a wide spectrum of farming and rural activities.

Some 89 people will be involved in the judging process.

Agriculture Minister, Simon Coveney will open the show, which will be held on a 250-acre site on the Butterfield Estate in Blueball.

It will have 700 trade stands, eight hectares of tented pavilions, six catering villages and will be organised by an executive of 30 members with the help of 650 voluntary stewards.

The executive is headed by Rodney Cox, chairman; Brenda Kiernan, vice chairperson; Freda Kinnarney, secretary-administrator; George Gill, secretary; Pat Hartnett and Tom Maher, joint treasurers; and Christy Maye, PRO.

Mr Cox said the organisers are fortunate to have a wonderful show site.

“We are ever grateful to Stephen and Ann-Marie McQuade for this facility and to all landowners who facilitate us so generously,” he said.

The show continues to innovate and develop; adding new attractions and expanding the competitive and commercial elements.

Entries for the commercial cattle classes this year have reached 385, a 25% increase from 2014.