Granard Show's 75th anniversary will be a fantastic Longford weekend

Celebrating its 75th anniversary milestone, Granard Show continues to flourish and this weekend will see visitors converge on the North Longford town from far and wide for the two day gathering.

“It is a huge honour to be Secretary as the show launches its 75th Year,” enthused Show Secretary Hazel McVeigh.

Read more: The Ballinamuck Olde Fair was one of Co Longford's summer joys

She added, “I simply love all things relating to the Granard Show. It brings both rural and urban communities together for the day and it's great to see the support given to the show. I cannot thank people enough for their sponsorship, generosity and support.”

Hazel paid tribute to those who had the foresight to start Granard Show back in 1950. “This year we are celebrating 75 years in existence. It's just fantastic. Together with the County Longford Show we are the last two agri shows remaining here in the county and it's fantastic to see how our show here in Granard has flourished in the last number of years.”

She extended every good wish for a speedy recovery to Show President PJ Reilly describing him as ‘a great advocate for our show’.

Hazel thanked all sponsors, both new and old, for investing in Granard Show and ensuring its survival and she said Buddy Kiernan was the main sponsor for this year’s 75th anniversary Show.

She thanked Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary for funding and vital support provided to all Shows and also Longford County Council for funding received.

The Granard Show presents a programme of outstanding entertainment from cattle classes, horse and ridden classes, arts and crafts, horse jumping to children's entertainment.

Hazel said there is great anticipation ahead of next weekend’s event.

“The number of entries we have received is great,” Hazel said, “They started coming in early this year. We don't normally receive them so early, but there has been a huge interest.”

Horse and pony classes, cattle classes, sheep and goats, a dog show, best dressed lady and gentleman are part of the traditional features of the annual event, but there are a number of recent additions to the programme.

Hazel said this year's show has a lot to offer. “It is great to see new classes in various sections, especially the Irish Draught Section which is close to my heart as my family have been breeding them for over 30 years. We have young handlers in sheep, cattle and equine. Big prize money in cattle and equine sheep sections.”

She says the appeal of the show is wide ranging, “The fact that it takes place over two days, gives us an advantage. People have two opportunities to go. The main day is Saturday, that's the traditional agricultural show. Most of the classes are judged on Saturday.”

Among the highlights on Saturday are the Buddy Kiernan Milling Best Continental Type Heifer (with no permanent teeth) which has a €2,000 prize fund.

There is a €1,000 prize fund for the Lakeland Dairies Best Friesian Heifer Calf (born on or after January 1, 2025) and the €650 Midland Agri-Consultants (Paul Belton) ‘Young Stockmanship Challenge’.

Hazel continued, “Day two is our showjumping day. We have a €1,400 prize fund on offer, with the highlight being the six bar. That always draws a crowd of spectators and good entries also. It's a bit of fun, but the exhibitors take it quite seriously as they go neck to neck to see who's going to take home that trophy.”

The Showgrounds at Higginstown Park are very much a part of the enduring appeal of the Granard Show: “We're very lucky to have a fantastic surface. It's a grass surface, but there was remedial work done over a number of years. For the participants it's a great chance to jump a horse on a grass surface.”

Trying to find the highlights of the show is a tough task, as the many classes and exhibitors promise a thrilling day, “We have the country crafts, we have vegetables, flowers. One highlight in the indoor exhibit hall will be the school's competition.

Rosemary Gaynor, the librarian in Granard, oversees the school's competition.

“All national schools and primary schools from the area have been preparing for the last couple of months, including entries for handwriting, painting and then models.”

The theme for the schools competition this year is biodiversity: “It really is a theme that ties in with our goals as an agricultural show, but is also appealing to the younger generation.”

While the cattle classes are a much loved facet of the show, the equine classes are also very popular: “We have the Irish draft classes, show ponies, family ponies, which has attracted a huge interest since we introduced it last year. The Connemara class, donkey and the ordinary pony gives everyone a chance to pick up a coveted rosette. The champion prize winning mare in the Irish Draught section will win €1,000.”

Ensuring it's a family day is the focus of the organisers: “We have Glencullen amusements, we have a colouring corner, we have face painting. This year we are introducing a “quiet area” to our show. This is for both kids and adults, when the hustle and bustle can get too much. It gives people a space where they can sit down and gather their thoughts.”

The Dog Show, sponsored by committee members David Feeley, takes place at 2.30pm, with entries taken at 1.30pm from the secretary's box. “We have a beautiful trophy for champion dog, along with the sash. There's a wide variety of classes, including 'the dog that you'd like to take home'. We have qualifiers for Ireland in the dog show as well.”

Read more: Emma exudes 'stunning style' as she is crowned Kilbeggan Races Ladies Day winner

Dressing appropriately on the day will also be incentivised, “We have the most appropriately dressed lady and gentleman on the day. This year we have a new prize. Our judge will be secretly going round to pick out the most appropriately dressed at the Granard Show.”

Hazel concluded, “So as you can see we have something for all age groups and we look forward to welcoming you to Granard. Kids have free entry and we are keeping adult admission at €10.”

The Granard Show presents a thrilling day of exhibitions at the Showgrounds, Higginstown on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20.