Great anticipation around north Longford as Higginstown readies itself for 73rd Granard show

The exciting line up for this year's Granard Show will bring visitors to the North Longford town from far and wide for the two day gathering.

The Granard Show presents a programme of outstanding entertainment from cattle classes to children's entertainment.

As the Granard Agricultural Show nudges closer to its three quarters of a century milestone Hazel McVeigh, show secretary, said there is great anticipation around the 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.”

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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 says this year's show has a lot to offer: “I suppose we are a smaller show than the County Longford Show, but in the last few years, Granard Show has gone from strength to strength. There's new classes introduced and we've had great sponsors come on board along with the sponsors who have supported us for years.”

The show secretary 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.

“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.”

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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 models.”

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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 draft section will win €1,250. ”

The cattle classes include commercial and pedigree classes. This year's Granard show in conjunction with AXA presents a new heifer class: “The prize fund for this is €2,000. We're hoping to see a large number of entries.”

Midland Agri, Paul Belton, is sponsoring the stockmanship challenge: “There's three sections, with a variation of ages. That's for young handlers in the castle section.

Lakeland Dairies are sponsoring the Friesian cow class, with prize fund €1,000. Mark Kiernan from Kiernan Milling is sponsoring the commercial section.”

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.”

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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 the All Ireland in the dog show as well.”

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.”

The Granard Show presents a thrilling day of exhibitions at the Showgrounds, Higginstown on Saturday July 20 and Sunday July 21 2024.

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