Spirits high on first day of Cork Summer Show 

Poppy Sweeney and her friend Millie Twomey of Co. Waterford with her pony Thistledown Gold Medal First pictured competing at the Cork Summer Show Picture: Clare Keogh

Spirits were high despite lower temperatures for the first day of this year’s Cork Summer Show on Saturday.

People of all ages turned out at the showgrounds in Curraheen to soak up the atmosphere as highlights included the funfair, the dog shows and the Local Enterprise marquee which hosted 50 small businesses.

Families from across Munster travelled to the event, enjoying musical entertainment and flocking to the different trade marquees dotted across the showgrounds site. 

Oisin Griffin of Kilarney with his miniature Shetland Ponies pictured competing at the Cork Summer Show  Picture Clare Keogh 

Jerry Fish, and Fiona Kennedy were among the musical artists to rock the showgrounds on Saturday, with Gina and the Champions among the performers on Sunday.

Ger Murphy, president of the Munster Agricultural Society said that while temperatures were low for Saturday, very little rain fell at the showgrounds.

“It has gone very well altogether. The public had great craic with the music. At the official opening, the Lord Mayor, Kieran McCarthy, sang.

“The weather is improving tomorrow and temperatures should go up. We had a massive turn out in arts and crafts, and children’s activities, and we had our best horticulture competition turn out in 20 years.” 

Chloe Hegarty pictured competing at the Cork Summer Show Picture Clare Keogh 

Home baking was also popular, according to Mr Murphy.

The food zone was a popular area, where chefs gave culinary displays throughout the day.

The theme of this year’s show is sustainability, with visitors to the showgrounds being encouraged to bring their own water bottles and reusable cups. Segregated waste bins are available throughout the site for recyclable, compostable, and general waste items.

Zoe Salter pictured competing at the Cork Summer Show . Picture Clare Keogh 

This year’s event also gives an opportunity for attendees to avail of charity donation bins for bottles and cans through the Re-Turn national deposit return system. 

Local charities will benefit from the project, according to the organisers.

A stand by UCC hosted a demonstration of grassland biodiversity projects on a test plot on the site. It is the result of a collaboration between the Munster Agricultural Society and UCC announced at the official opening of the Cork Summer Show last year.

Organisers are expecting Sunday to be the big day of the two-day show, which has been part of Cork for more than two centuries.

Those attending the show can avail of the extended 208 Bus Eireann bus service from Mayfield to Curraheen, via the city centre, running from 7am to 8.30pm on Saturday and Sunday. Park and ride facilities are also being laid on from Curraheen Park Greyhound Stadium; Ballincollig Shopping Centre, and Black Ash Park and Ride.