Granard Agricultural Show ‘is a huge event for the town’
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Thousands of people are expected to descend on North Longford next weekend for the Granard Agricultural Show
Thousands of people are expected to descend on North Longford next weekend for the Granard Agricultural Show with a host of activities, competitions and attractions for all of the family.
A dedicated committee and team of volunteers are the driving force behind the popular event that is celebrating its 76th year in 2026.
The show boasts an array of events including cattle classes, Connemara and show pony classes, donkeys, Irish draught section, sheep classes, dog show, arts & crafts, vegetables, flowers and trade stands.
A huge crowd from all over the county and country are expected to attend what should be a special and hugely enjoyable community event.
“It is a very well organised local show and is a huge event for the town of Granard,” Cathaoirleach of Granard Municipal District Cllr Padraig McNamara said.
“It has been run successfully for an extremely long time and every year it goes from strength to strength. It is very successful and is a huge asset for the town,” Cllr McNamara said.
The economic boost to the town from staging the agricultural show was stressed by the Cathaoirleach.
“It brings people from all over the country into Granard and many stop in the town afterwards. I know food is available on site at the show but sometimes people stop for a meal in the town. Everyone gets a boost from it,” he said.
“While it is not the biggest show in the country, it punches well above its weight for the size of the show and has so much to offer,” Cllr McNamara said.
He said the greatest highlight of the show is the welcome that people get.
“Anyone who attends the show generally comes back again. Everybody is so well looked after. They are welcomed with open arms,” Cllr McNamara said.
Last year, Tanáiste Simon Harris visited the show and Cllr McNamara said he hopes to come back again in 2027, as he enjoyed the event so much.
Having run the event successfully for over three quarters of a century, the committee is very much planning for the future by organising a raffle to buy the land to host the event for years to come.
The bumper raffle for a Toyota Landcruiser will take place on show day, with 1,000 tickets sold.
Cllr McNamara said he was happy to be able to help with the successful purchase of the land. “It will secure the future for generations to come,” he said.
Cllr McNamara paid tribute to PJ Reilly who did fantastic work for the show, who is currently unwell.
“He has done tremendous work for the show over many years. It was only two years ago at a show that he was telling me that he remembered his very first Granard Agricultural Show. He was very passionate about the show and to have carried that through for so many years is a credit and testament to him,” Cllr McNamara said.
He also paid tribute to show stalwart Hazel McVeigh, whose father passed away recently. “Hazel is a fantastic person who does a tremendous amount of work in the build up and also on the day, when she keeps people aware of what’s happening. It is very sad that her dad passed away and we pass our condolences to her and her family.”
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Looking forward to the Granard Agricultural Show, Cllr McNamara concluded: “All we need now is some good weather as it was wonderful for the 75th anniversary.”
The event takes place on July 18 and 19 at Granard Showgrounds.