All set for Longford Agricultural Show this Sunday

Ennybegs will be the host location for one of Ireland's oldest gatherings of its type. Thousands will flock to the lands of Gerry Hagan at Treanlawn, Killoe.

An institution in Longford the event will take place this (Sunday, July 2, 2023). Last year was the first full return post pandemic, and the turnout was tremendous.

Show Secretary Bernie Whyte told the Leader that a lot of work has gone into the organising of this year's event: “It presents many, many challenges. COVID was a huge challenge for us because we were out of action for two years. Getting the show back on the road proved difficult. However, we were delighted to now have so many of our sponsors back on board.”

The show attracts visitors from far and wide: “It's 119 years in existence. It's one of the best shows in Ireland out of the 132 nationwide shows. We have a very far reaching appeal. Our exhibitors come from Fermanagh, Donegal, Galway and as well as our surrounding counties.

"The main body of exhibitors come from within the county itself. That's what the show is for, it's primarily for local exhibitors, local traders, local crafters and for our own community and we love to see our prize fund of €40,000 going back into our own community,” Bernie says.

The popularity of Longford Agriculture Show is the broad range of attractions: “It's a national show, a national event. People love to be associated with it. It's recognised as a great family fun day out. It's very well laid out, it's good value for money, at €10 for adults, and children are free. It's a celebration of our heritage and our culture,” the Show Secretary outlined.

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Although agriculture is front and centre there are a lot of reasons to go to the show: “Visitors will see Highland cattle, falconry, crafters, dry clay sculpting, live music and a range of entertainment, all these types of things. It's not something you see every day.”

Bernie points out that the new site was the location for the very successful Longford Ploughing in 2010. That gathering saw over 6,000 people attend, and the Longford Agricultural Show is looking forward to an equally successful day: “I think the high point of this year's show will be the quality of animals on display. We have everything from horses, ponies, goats, Belted Galloways, Highlands, sheep, dogs, and our big show jumping competition.”

The live stage will see performances from Stuart Moyles, Brid O’Shaughnessy, Caillín Joe, Seamus Farrell: “The musical entertainment will go on all day on the stage from 12 noon. We have the All Ireland National Jiving Championship Qualifier with Ger Butler.”

Bernie says catering for all the family has been a focus for the show: “We have lots of children, entertainment all free of charge. We have magicians, loads of fun activities for everybody to do.

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“We are absolutely delighted to be located on the farm of Gerard Hagan this year. We are sure that the villages of Killoe and Ennybegs will give us a warm welcome. It's a fantastic site. I'm sure that we'll get tremendous local support from that community. They're a very enriched community and we're looking forward to many years there,” the Longford Agriculture Show Secretary concluded.