In this news article on www.thatsfarming.com, Dermot O’Halloran, PRO of Dualla Show previews its 2023 event.
The best little show in Munster is back on Sunday, August 27th, 2023, and is expected to attract thousands with its incredible mix of livestock, horses, trucks, modified tractors, live music, artisan food and free children’s entertainment.
Dualla Show chairman, Ray Hunt said that “last year’s phenomenal success after a two-year Covid break showed there is a huge appetite for quality family-friendly outdoor events”.
This year also sees Dualla Show becoming an official licensed event: “Due to the enormous scale, Dualla Show has grown we obtained an event license and have been working closely with Tipperary Country Council and the Gardaí to ensure we provide the best possible traffic management and all-round health and safety”, said Ray.
Stars of Country
This year Dualla Show brings a stellar line-up of country music acts featuring Shawn Cuddy, Olivia Douglas, John McNicholl, Paddy O’Brien, and Dualla’s very own Trudi Lalor performing throughout the afternoon.
The success of the previous music events at Dualla has been so overwhelming we decided to develop it further and add even more acts.
Having such a professionally-run stage and quality sound system, plus being a non-alcohol event really makes for a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere that is really something special.
We also delighted to have Borrisoleigh Bottling Ltd. sponsoring the music this year and the show’s official bottled water supplier on the day.
In addition to the main lineup, some new faces on the country scene will also make an appearance with Sina Theil, Tex Deegan and Dee Morrissey all performing on stage early in the afternoon.
Livestock
This year’s livestock will host the final of the Munster Aberdeen-Angus Club Bull & Heifer of the Year competition.
This promises to be a thrilling finale bringing together the winners of the qualifiers held in Midleton, Cork, Barryroe and Dungarvan earlier in the summer.
FBD are this year’s main sponsor once again.
“We are thrilled to have FBD sponsor this year’s livestock event,” said Ray, adding that “our livestock show has grown into one of the most competitive events of the year and we’re very grateful to have the support of FBD to make that possible”.
The Pedigree Hereford Male Championship in particular will attract some stiff competition with a first prize of €500 with 40% of the bull’s marks being based on its ICBF terminal index before entering the ring with the remaining 60% of the marks will be scored by the judge on the day.
Other classes of interest will be the Best Traditional and Continental Breeding Heifers, plus the popular Best Matching Pair in Show with a first prize of €500 cash.
In the sheep event, the Texel classes are returning after being introduced last year.
Also running throughout the day are sheep-dog trials which take place adjacent to the main show field.
Showjumping
For equestrian fans, Dualla will once again host the Connolly Red Mills Munster Grand Prix league in addition to the normal SJI classes.
All pony classes will be qualifying rounds for the Waterford/Tipperary SJI Pony Leagues and the Munster Stars of the Future League.
Free kid’s entertainment
An affordable family day out is part of the Dualla Show ethos and our free children’s entertainment is back and better than ever, consisting of a secure and supervised play area with completely free inflatable castles, slides and obstacle courses including the 100ft ‘Eliminator’.
There will also be a fantastic pet farm that lets kids get up close with rabbits, hamsters and chickens.
And do not forget the famous Dualla Bucket Train will be winding its way around the showgrounds all day.
Also completely free is Ireland’s best-loved big top circus: Circus Gerbola, who bring their exciting Globe of Death, Flying Trapeze, Wheel of Death, and High Wire acts to Dualla, all in the company of the fabulous Gerbola clowns, acrobats, contortionists, horses, ponies, dogs and goats.
The circus will perform four one-hour shows at 1 pm, 2.15 pm, 4 pm and 5.30 pm with a special ticket office of its own to ensure everyone gets an opportunity to book a ticket and return later in the day for their relevant show slot.
Tipperary Truck Show
The highlight of the trucker annual calendar is without doubt the Tipperary Truck Show and continues to attract entrants from both Ireland and the UK.
“Dualla is just a small village but every truck man in the country knows it” according to Daire Maher, truck show organiser.
“It is what comes with Dualla that makes the truck show special. The free kid’s entertainment means a lot of truckers bring their families to Dualla as they can all enjoy themselves while doing something they love.”
With Dennison trailers onboard as the main sponsor of the truck show, the competition will be keen for prizes ranging from Best New Truck to Best Small Fleet, Best Bullnose and Best Overseas Reg.
“We had to limit numbers this year due to the interest by operating an online-only ticket facility” continued Daire.
“We sold out in 20 minutes and the demand was so intense it crashed our website.”
Tractor Pulling
Huge crowds will also line both sides of the Dualla Show track as the Irish Tractor Pulling Committee return this year with another fantastic display of horsepower and this year’s sponsor is Campion Insurance.
Farm classes will be registration only this year again due to overwhelming interest. So, if you have got a tractor and wish to enter it you will be able to do so via our website.
Pulling starts at 11.30 am and will continue all day.
Food & gardening demos
This year’s ‘Live at the Marquee’ food and gardening demos are sponsored by Arrabawn and we are thrilled to have broadcaster, chef and lifestyle coach, Aisling Larkin, demoing her passion for healthy and tasty recipes.
Her first demo starts at 12 pm with Balanced Eating: Seasonal recipes that nourish and sustain which combines sustainability, wellness and nutrition.
Aisling’s session on Slow Cooks & Batch Cooking teaches how to create wonderfully modern dishes that are easy to prepare in advance and that the entire family loves.
Aisling will also touch on some really useful feeding therapy techniques which can help all children learn to enjoy lunch a little more before rounding off the afternoon with baking for all occasions where she will demonstrate her modern take on some classic bakes including raspberry, coconut & pistachio Bakewell tart coffee cake with a biscoff butter icing.
Also, in the Marquee this year is Arrabawn’s Ultan Nesbitt who will be giving gardening tips on harvesting your kitchen garden, autumn container baskets, caring for your roses and spring bulb planting. Ultan’s slots start at 12:30 pm, 1:30 pm, 2.30 pm and 3.30 pm.
Food Village
And even more for foodies attending Dualla this year is our incredible food village featuring a diverse collection of quality artisan food makers, including the winner of RTE’s Battle of the Food Trucks, Chris Braganza, aka Spice Genie.
Whether it is hot or cold, spicy or not, all taste buds will be catered for.
Dog Show
The dog show is also back again with John Smullen of Moyglass Kennels overseeing another great selection of dog classes with prizes sponsored by O’Connor Julian Veterinary.
The winner of the new Junior Handler of the Year trophy will be chosen from the winners of the Best Boy Handler and Best Girl Handler classes (both under 14 years of age).
The Best Puppy of the Year class will look for the best puppy from across all the other classes and in particular pay attention to gait, balance and attitude – an almost impossible task given the high quality seen every year.
Tug of War
Recent years have seen something of a resurgence in the popularity of tug of war throughout the country and Dualla Show are delighted to host a competition in association with Munster Tug of War.
Pulling starts at 12 pm and will continue throughout the afternoon.
There will be a display by Tipperary Emergency Services, plus trade stands including O’Neill’s Sportswear shop and Grassmen.
Dualla Show offers an affordable day out for the entire family and is simply not to be missed.
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