60,000 Visitors expected at Show
10th August 2017
Ger Scully
UP to 60,000 people will travel to the Butterfield Estate for this Sunday's Tullamore Show and AIB National Livestock Show which organisers promise will be the best on record.
Entries are at an all-time high and up five per cent on last year's record total.
'Several new events are planned with a prize fund of €175,000 with Ireland's finest pedigree, commercial and dairy cattle competing for the Gold Medals," said Show PRO Christy Maye.
He added: "The event will also include the National Shows for the Limousin, Simmental and Hereford breeds and for the first time, the Charolais breed."
The show will be officially opened by the newly elected Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mairead McGuinness MEP.
The tented village and pavilions cover an area of 380,000sq.ft. and there are 20,000 free car parking spaces.
Almost four kilometres of trackway has been laid on site to ensure ease of movement for traders and visitors alike.
Culture, competition, entertainment, exhibitions and excitement will be the order of the day, outlined Mr Maye.
He added: "The return of the very successful country jamboree this year stars Declan Nerney and his band, one of Ireland's top country stars, together with Simon Casey, Olivia Douglas, Colin Kenny, Joe Wynne and more. It's sure to have you on your feet with the best country tunes of old and new."
"It is the real country living showcase with great entertainment, as well as Neven Maguire, Fashion Shows, Cookery, Horticulture, the best livestock in Ireland, a fabulous flower show, a wonderful vintage show of old agricultural machinery and hundreds of exhibitions and displays as well as the forestry and energy exhibition." The talks, tips and hints workshop pavilion was such an outstanding success last year that there are two pavilions again this year.
The show grounds will be open from 7am for exhibitors and competitors and 8.30am for the general public.
Admission fee on the day is €20 for adults, students and senior citizens €15. Children under 12 are free if accompanied by an adult. You can also skip the queue and purchase tickets online at a reduced rate on the show website
A free shuttle bus will be available from Tullamore town centre to the show grounds, servicing O’Connor Square and the train station. This service commences at 9am and continues until 5pm, running all day.
Entries that will still be taken on the day are in Family Pony, Horticulture, Cookery, Craft & Needlework, Art & Photography and Fashion competitions. No late entries will be accepted in any other class.
Judging for most classes starts at 10am, with the site grounds open to exhibitors from 7.00am, and the public from 8.30am.
This year organisers are introducing a change in the judging system for some classes. The Angus breed will be trying out the new system and particularly the Angus Beef Ireland National Angus Calf Championships, made up of six classes, with €1,000 cash prize fund per class.
Show Chairperson, Brendan Kiernan said the event has something for everyone including a huge array of shops and trade stands which makes it a unique family occasion.
Ms Kiernan, said she is looking forward to a tremendous turnout this year, especially with the major new attraction of the country jamboree featuring Declan Nerney and his band amongst others.
The ’best dressed’ competitions, free to enter on the day, offer attractive prizes with Best Dressed Lady. There are also a great set of prizes on offer for the Best Dressed Man, Glamorous Granny, Young Mister and Miss Offaly for under 7s, Traditional Farmer and even a Bonny Baby competition.
The Fashion Pavilion will be providing array of stand and also Model & Show productions by Catwalk Modelling Agency, Galway & Dublin.
With over 700 trade stands, from farm machinery, agriculture and industrial suppliers, cars, garden, home and leisure, food, crafts, travel and tourism, fashion and accessories, new products to the market in every section, and plenty of surprises, your day will be non-stop adventure. Visit the show website for the full listing of trade stands to best plan your day.
The schedule of competitions is available to view online now on the show’s website. For all the most up to date information and reduced-price tickets, visit www.tullamoreshow.com
You can also connect with the show on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram to see the show’s developments every day.
See special free supplement with this week's Tribune for full preview of the show classes and attractions.