Bonniconlon

An expected crowd of 30,000 is set to head to Bonniconlan, Co Mayo, on Monday 3 August for the 64th annual agricultural show.

Cattle section numbers are higher than ever, with 270 animals entered. There will be a total of 600 livestock classes (cattle and sheep).

Bonniconlon will play host to three All-Ireland classes on the day, including the All-Ireland Junior Commercial Calf Championship and the All-Ireland Senior Commercial Calf Championship, both with an equal prize fund of €2,200. The Simmental section will also see the VK Agri All-Ireland Simmental X Heifer Final, a hotly contested competition with a prize fund of €1,500.

Four livestock rings will be running throughout the day, each with specific breeds showcasing the best of what they have to offer within the western region.

Other majorly anticipated classes taking place on the day include the FBD €1,300 Baby Beef championship and the Aurvio Co-Op Nutrias Super beef Championship, with a prize fund of €800 up for grabs.

Handlers of all ages will take to the show-ring over the course of the day to compete for coveted titles such as the Bonniconlon Lady Handler of the year and the Bonniconlon Young Handler of the year.

Elsewhere in the sheep section, seven rings will be in operation to accommodate the 100 classes and the 800 sheep being exhibited. The highlight of the sheep showing day will undoubtedly be the judging of the All-Ireland ewe, with a total prize fund of €2,000.

Tinahely

Other attractions on the day will include sheep dog trials, machinery displays and a variety of trade stands. Lely will be present at this year’s show with a live demonstration of robotic milking.

Cited as one of the biggest agricultural shows in the east of the country, the 18th Tinahely Agricultural Show takes place this bank holiday Monday 3 August in Fairwood Park, a short distance outside the town.

Staging this major one-day event not only generates a significant boost to the town and to local businesses, it also brings a wonderful atmosphere of excitement and pride to the Tinahely community. For anyone who has attended the show in the past, this excitement is palpable.

While there is tremendous support both locally and from the surrounding counties of Carlow, Wexford, Kildare and Dublin, a huge number of people will make the effort to travel long distances from counties such as Cork, Limerick, Donegal and Mayo to compete in the show. Further afield, a number of international competitors from New Zealand and the UK will also participate.

The total prize fund this year is €40,000, which includes a number of lucrative classes. In the livestock section, the Irish Belgian Blue Society will stage the €6,000 FBD Belgian Blue Calf Championships which has over 40 entries, while the €2,500 Darcy Sands best commercial beef bullock or heifer of any age has an entry of 10 cattle.

For younger members, there is a colossal €3,000 up for grabs in the Derek Rothwell Memorial Young Stockperson of the Year Championship, which attracts young people from all over the country. Up to 40 youngsters will showcase the art of showing and handling in a bid to claim the top prize of €500, which is a massive win for any child.

In the horse section, the Red Mills Two-Year Old All -Ireland Championship will be one of the highlights of the day, offering a grand prize fund of €3,000. Some of the horse classes are set to attract up to 25 entries. Indeed, over 900 entries have been taken across the cattle, sheep and horse sections for 2015.

Based in beautiful Wicklow countryside, the 60-acre site at Fairwood Park will play host to over 20,000 visitors next Monday. Show organisers are in a unique position of actually jointly owning the site. This has allowed them to lay a permanent road network in the trade stand area, ensuring exhibitors ease of access to the site while also offering excellent walking conditions.

Special attractions for 2015 include a bike spectacular and motorbike stunt, an international strongman competition with participants from New Zealand and the UK, and a sheaf-tossing competition where competitors will be hoping to set a new world record. Gates open at 8am and parking is free.