A spokesperson for Kilgarvan Agricultural Show tells us about this year’s event on Sunday, August 6th, 2023.
The committee of Kilgarvan Agricultural Show are delighted to be organising our 2023 show on Sunday, August 6th, 2023.
The Kilgarvan Agricultural Show, established in 1984, celebrates another year. Many of your parents, and grandparents will have attended at some point in the thirty-seven years of history. Through tough times and good times, the show has survived.
Although essentially an agricultural show with the reliable stalwarts remaining unchanged, the show has evolved to become a special day out.
So come and meet the neighbours and put Sunday, August 6th, in your diary for an authentic experience and the kettle will be on.
Kilgarvan Show is about a family day out; it is about meeting your friends and neighbours; it might be the place you will meet an old friend you now only see once a year; friends congregate to have a drink in the bar or a cup of coffee or an ice-cream if the weather is good.
Many Kilgarvan people return to support the show every August bank holiday weekend and make sure their holiday back to family in Kilgarvan is organised around the show day. Supporters of this show have made it one of the longest-lasting shows in Munster.
Attractions
While at the show grounds, you can enjoy some of the free entertainment laid on by the show committee to thank you and your family for supporting us.
This includes free face painting for the children, meeting some of your favourite Disney characters (Minnie & Mickey Mouse, Coco Melon, Paw Patrol) to name a few, Aaron the balloon artist, and puppet show.
We also have our amazing craft and food marquees promoting all that is ‘good’ about Kerry and many people have enjoyed dabbling in the kitchen or learning a new craft.
So, we are giving you an opportunity to show off your newfound talents, in our amazing home industries section, where you can enter baking, cooking, crafts, photography, and flower arranging which will be judged by our team of experts on show day – it is time we all enjoyed a cuppa and catch up with old friends.
Livestock
Our livestock classes will be as busy as ever the rings full of the best livestock on show in the country.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has introduced a new class to the cattle section. It is the Breeder’s Choice Continental 4/5-star breeding heifer class with a prize fund of €650 and it has been a very popular class at shows so far this year.
All in all, we are so looking forward to welcoming all our exhibitors and visitors to our show.
Enter the fashion competitions on the day including Best Dressed Lady, sponsored by Simplicity Boutique Kenmare or Best Dressed Man, sponsored by Quills Woollen Market Kenmare or our glamorous grannies, sponsored by the White Room Kenmare.
A children’s village is fully equipped to keep your young ones entertained for hours.
Workshops and demos are planned throughout the day, with the latest tips and tricks in, sheep shearing.
Something for everyone
Visitors to the show will enjoy live music and entertainment from 2 pm – 5 pm, with the famous Patrick O’Sullivan, so bring your dancing shoes and be ready for a day of dancing and fun.
Our sponsors remain an integral part of our show and we feel so assured by their continued support for our show. We are indebted to them and would encourage you to support them when you can.
We always welcome new sponsors and invite any businesses who would be interested in sponsoring the show or a show section to get in touch.
The Kilgarvan Show provides an opportunity for so many people to be actively involved. Some people come along for entertainment, and some to enjoy the many and varied exhibits.
Others will come to the show to participate in the many competitions. Some will take home trophies and prizes, and everyone will take home some wonderful memories.
Team effort
The show is not one person, nor is one person the show… it is a team effort, and it is a big team made up of dozens of volunteers working across many sections.
The efforts of the volunteers, coupled with the work of our small team of committed and enthusiastic staff, allow the annual transformation of an empty shell of a showground into a bustling hive of activity, competitions, education, entertainment, and lots of noise… good noise.
The sounds of people chatting and laughing, the sounds of animals. The aromas of food and coffee from different cultures. All this and so much more makes up the Kilgarvan Show.
Thank you to everyone who contributes in any way to making the Show what it is. A special thank you to all our sponsors, small or large, who contribute significantly to making our show possible for the whole community to enjoy.
The show’s chairperson, Helen O’Sullivan along with the show committee, wishes everyone the best of luck with their entries and hope that you all reach new high this year, start marking off the days, get ready for some of the year’s most exciting competitions in the county. Entering has never been easier.
We cannot wait to meet up with you all again and give you a great family day out.
Entries are open for all sections of the show and applications for trade stands, stalls, and craft, are currently open.
