Annual ag show at Castlerea Mart promises ‘best’ event yet

Castlerea Mart will play host to the annual Castlerea Agricultural Trade & Craft Show this Bank Holiday Monday (August 1^st, 2022).

According to organisers, the show will feature a “wide” range of cattle, sheep, donkey, horse, goat, dog, home produce, art, crafts, fruit, vegetable and floral competitions.

The show, organisers say, grows in scale year on year and will feature vintage car and tractor exhibits and an on-site petting zoo.

Castlerea Brass and Reed Band, Trevor Moyles and Danny Arnold Music will provide entertainment on the day.

Meanwhile, Sandra Ganley of Jiving Juniors will attend to crown the show jiving champion of 2022.

Castlerea Show highlights:

• Un-haltered cattle classes in the mart confined to the postal district;
• Baby beef championship bullock or heifer with no permanent teeth sponsored by Castlerea Mart;
• Heifer suitable to make suckler cow sponsored by Castlerea Veterinary Clinic, each with a prize fund of €500;
• The bonny baby heifer and bull calf classes sponsored by Harmac Medical & Luke Ming Flanagan MEP;
• Pedigree ring: Usual classes along with the interbreed September class, which has a prize fund of €500, sponsored by Homeland Castlerea.
• Sheep section: Sponsored by Cahill’s Supervalu with usual classes along with young handler classes & best pet lamb in fancy dress;
• Pedigree and non-pedigree classes for horses, ponies, goats, donkeys, and pets corner;
• Junior and senior competitions across home produce, crafts, photography and art classes;
• Gardeners: Fruit, vegetable and floral classes. The overall fruit & veg champion will receive the Noel Mannion Perpetual Cup;
• Fashion: Best dressed and ‘bonny baby’ (human!) competitions;
• Draw for fundraising monster raffle winners will take place at 4 pm on the show grounds. Tickets for sale locally and on the day.
  • 1^st prize: Ewe & pair lambs or €350;
  • 2^nd prize: €100 voucher sponsored by Bliss Beauty Nutrition & Health Clinic;
  • 3^rd prize: AutoGlym Valeting Hamper, worth €100, sponsored by Igoe Agri & Engineering;
  • 4^th prize: €50;
  • More prizes on the day.

Support 

Speaking to That’s Farming ahead of the forthcoming event, show chairperson, Susan Igoe, said:

“Our show is a fun, family day out for the local community. This year promises to be our best ever.”

“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.”

Organisers acknowledged the support of Castlerea Co-Operative Livestock Mart, its main sponsor for 2022.

Igoe stated that the management committee has facilitated the show by providing the grounds and office facilities as its venue year-on-year.

The availability of this “invaluable” resource has ensured the “successful” running of the annual event since 1995.

Igoe continued: “Our committee endeavours 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 a potential spectator, everyone is welcome at Castlerea Agricultural Show.”

Admission & judging

On the day, gates open for exhibitors at 8 am, 10 am for the general public, and judging starts from noon.