In this article, a spokesperson for Castlerea Agricultural Trade & Craft Show updates us on this year’s event which takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, August 7th, 2023.
All roads lead to the Castlerea Agricultural Trade & Craft Show taking place on the grounds of Castlerea Livestock Mart on Bank Holiday Monday, August 7th.
The show will feature a wide range of cattle, sheep, horse, pony, donkey, dog, goat, and pets corner showing classes as well as home produce, art, crafts, fruit, vegetable, and floral competitions. Prize money for all classes will be paid on the day.
The show grows in scale year-on-year and will feature vintage car and tractor exhibits as well as an on-site petting zoo.
Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by the Castlerea Brass and Reed Band, Trevor Moyles, Ollie Rocks & Sandra Ganley of Jiving Juniors will be in attendance to crown the Show Jiving Champion of 2023.
Chairwoman comments
“Our show is a fun, family day out for the local community – and this year promises to be our best ever,” said show chairwoman Elaine Quinn.
“Shows of this scale would not be possible without the fantastic support of our local business sponsors, stewards, committee members and volunteers, to whom we are so grateful.”
“We would like to thank Castlerea Co-Operative Livestock Mart, our main sponsor for 2023. The management committee has facilitated the show by providing the grounds and office facilities as the show venue for the show year on year.”
“The availability of this invaluable resource has ensured the successful running of our event since 1995. Our committee endeavour to put on the best show we can and have worked hard to get the show back on the road.”
“Whether you are a seasoned exhibitor, new to showing or indeed a potential spectator, everyone is welcome at Castlerea Agricultural Show.”
Castlerea Show 2023
In the cattle section, we have the unhaltered cattle classes in the mart confined to the postal district which are always hotly contested.
Out in the show field, we have the ‘baby beef championship bullock or heifer with no permanent teeth’, kindly sponsored by Castlerea Mart and best factory heifer or bullock, sponsored by Devine Claims Consultant , the ‘heifer suitable to make suckler cow’ class, kindly sponsored by Castlerea Veterinary Clinic, each with a prize fund of €500.
The ‘bonny baby’ heifer and bull calf classes are kindly sponsored by Harmac Medical & Luke Ming Flanagan MEP.
In the pedigree ring, we have all of the usual classes along with the Interbreed September calf class which has a prize fund of €500 kindly sponsored by Homeland Castlerea, and the January calf class which has a prize fund of €500 kindly sponsored by Kearneys Chemist.
In the sheep section, which is kindly sponsored by Cahills Supervalu, we have all our usual classes back along with new Suffolk classes and our young handler classes & best pet lamb in fancy dress which has always had great support from local exhibitors.
Ponies, pets, photography
Across the show grounds in the equine section, we have new classes for Connemaras and a Kerry Bog Pony class. Also, the goats and pets corner rings will feature pedigree and non-pedigree showing options with qualifiers for championships, rosettes, trophies and prize money all up for contention.
Meanwhile, there are opportunities for junior and senior competitors across the home produce, crafts, photography, and art classes.
For gardeners, the fruit, vegetable, and floral classes are likely to be of interest and the overall fruit & veg champion will receive the Noel Mannion Perpetual Cup in Memory of Noel who was a long-serving committee member down through the years.
For the fashion-conscious, there are best dressed and ‘bonny baby’ (human!) competitions.
Fundraising monster raffle
The draw for our fundraising monster raffle winners will take place @ 4 pm on the showgrounds and tickets will be on sale locally and on the day of the show.
- 1st prize: ewe & pair lambs or €350;
- 2nd prize: AutoGlym Valeting Hamper worth €100, sponsored by Igoe Agri & Engineering;
- 3rd prize: Voucher for wash cut & blow dry, sponsored by The Salon; 4th prize: Secure Storage Box worth €80;
- 5th prize: Voucher for €50 sponsored by Johnston’s Pharmacy.
Tickets will be on sale locally and on the day of the show so do not miss out on your chance to win.
Entries
While entries on the day, up to 12 noon, are possible for the dogs and pets competitions, exhibitors for all other classes must submit entries in advance by Friday, August 4th.
Entry forms can be obtained from the show secretary, Elaine Quinn (086 3010409) or from the show office, located in Castlerea Livestock Mart.
Forms can also be requested via message to the Facebook page, Castlerea Agricultural Show, or by emailing: [email protected].
On the day: gates open for exhibitors at 8 am, 10 am for the general public, and judging starts from 12 noon.
