Longford's Ballymahon getting ready for Heritage Week with many events

National Heritage Week runs from August 16 - 24 and one of the many events taking place in Longford is the inaugural Irish Native Rare Breed Livestock Show which is being organised by Longford / Westmeath Farmers Mart in partnership with the Irish Native Rare Breed Society.

Patricia Carrig Brady of Longford/Westmeath farmers Mart explained that it was the Irish Native Rare Breed Society who initially got in contact with the idea and enquired whether the event could be hosted in Ballymahon.

Read more: Longford's Maria Edgeworth Centre to celebrate Heritage Week with two events

However, she stated when they were approached about running the show, which will be held at Ballymahon Mart on Saturday, August 23, they wanted to make it more of a heritage and cultural experience, and a fun day for all the family.

"The main event will be of course our Irish Native Rare Breed Livestock Show and that will consist of animals from cows to sheep to pigs to horses."

Patricia said in terms of the native Irish breed of animals they will have Dexter cattle, Droimeann cattle, Kerry cattle, Irish Moiled cattle, Highland cattle, Shetland sheep, Soay sheep, Irish Cob horses and some pigs.

She stated there will be experts in attendance who will speak about the various native breeds of animals on display and they are trying to get a blacksmith and people demonstrating olde world trades.

"We have a person doing hand crochet, we have pottery people and we're going to have a competition for kids where they guess the weight of the animal and they can win a prize."

Patricia stated there will be a multitude of attractions for children ranging from welly throwing competitions to face-painting.

For older attendees there will be an information hub for local businesses and local people such as Longford Women's Link and voluntary groups and there will be a plethora of engaging activities for young and older people who have little interest in the shows.

"We have Ballyhaise College who are coming to us as guest speakers to talk about what is needed for young farmers looking to get green certs and what kind of cert they will need or what qualifications they will need when they're leaving certs.
"We also will have the IFA speaking here and we'll have a farm advisor on the day as well."

Patricia said additional attractions will include live music with Bríd Shaughnessy, Historical and Cultural Experience, Native Irish Meat Cooking Demonstration, Craft Stalls, various historical artists on show on the day, Vintage Cars and Agri Machinery, entertainment for all the family and kids entertainment.

Patricia said they will have some old style entertainment and games for kids such as a welly throwing competition.
She stated for the native Irish meat cooking demonstration some people are bringing goat meat, some people might be bringing Droimeann meat and all different types of animals and meats will be there on the day and she'll be cooking it on the barbecue."

Killoe-based singer Brie Campbell will also be performing and Bríd Shaughnessy will perform at 3pm on the day at the same time that a jiving competition is set to commence.

There will be Irish traditional music between 5pm and 6pm.

The event will have free car parking availability beside the pitch.

Sponsors include Kepak, Peter Hanley Motors, Wilder and Gold are giving hampers, Bank of Ireland, Creations Garden Centre, Parkview Vets and Patricia said they have all been very supportive.

PICTURES | Longford well represented as almost 1,000 people complete 3 Province Challenge

The Irish Native Rare Breed Livestock Show will be held from 12 noon to 6pm on Saturday, August 23 and entry is €10 for adults, €5 for OAPs and children will go free.