Mayo's Bonniconlon Agricultural Show and Gymkhana set to draw the crowds

The 74th annual Bonniconlon Agricultural Show and Gymkhana takes place in the beautiful village of Bonniconlon this coming Bank Holiday Monday, August 4.

There will be a massive prize fund of €65,000 for this year’s show.

The show will be officially opened by Minister Dara Calleary TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.

Based in North Mayo, Bonniconlon is a quintessential rural village on the outskirts of Ballina - a hospitable locality which opens its doors to over 30,000 people each year for the one-day show event.

Famed for the Bank Holiday showcase, members of each annual show committee have worked tirelessly to develop and expand its award-winning events.

There is a jam-packed programme, which prides itself on offering something of interest to young and old.

Their show is more than just an exhibition of live-stock, farm produce, flowers, cookery, trade stands and horse jumping - it is a family orientated event which coincides the August holiday period to bring exiles back together - and in doing so, has become a calendar staple throughout the west of Ireland and beyond.

On the day, 120 Silver Cups across all categories will be up for grabs, with five All-Ireland Final Competitions, and 10 All- Ireland Qualifying Competitions also taking place.

One of the new attractions on the day is the ‘Adrenaline Stunt Show and Big Monster Truck Show’, which is sure to draw a large audience.

There will be plenty of events for the family throughout the day including a variety of children’s entertainment and a kids disco, a Bonny baby show and junior jiving competition.

Some of the other events on the day include The Rose of Bonniconlon, Glamourous Granny, and the Most Appropriately Dressed Lady and Gent.

Those attending the event will also be able view a large vintage display of vehicles and machines.

There will be plenty of live music at the show which includes artists such as, Pat’s Country Road Show, Kelly’s Hero’s, Michael S. and Clodagh Togher, local group Passion, Mike Denver, Michael English, and Declan Nerney. Mike Denver will take to the stage from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., whilst Michael English will perform from 4 p.m., to 6 p.m.

The show will conclude with Declan Nerney and his band at the evening ‘Show Dance’ in the Grove Hall from 10 p.m., until late.

There are plenty of options for travelling to and from the Bonniconlon Show, with free parking available, with nearby shuttle buses also providing transport. Buses will also depart from the Cathedral in Ballina every hour on the hour and they cost €5 each way.

The entry fee to the Bonniconlon Show is €15 per-adult, whilst there is no charge for National School children attending.

Bonniconlon Show hosts over 100 sheep classes including, Swaledale, Rouge de l’Ouest, Blue Texel, Valais Blacknose.

A huge array of other breeds have dedicated classes including, Cheviot, Lleyn, Hampshire Down, Charollais, Belclare, Suffolk, Texel, Bleu Du Maine, Beltex, Zwartbles, Jacob and the Ox Mountain sheep. The Irish Shows Association and Bonniconlon Show hosts the All-Ireland Ewe Lamb Final.

A new additional class for this year is the Best Fleece (shorn in 2025), with a prize also for the All-Ireland Senior Young Shepard. On the day a Shepherdess 2025 Championship event will also take place and this is open to those aged 17-22.

There are 14 classes in the goat section, and the organisers are looking forward to this competition.

There is also an equally impressive lineup in the cattle section with classes such as the Traditional 4* and 5* Breeding Heifer, Junior and Senior ‘unhaltered’ Cow and Calf Championships, Baby Beef, and All-Ireland Junior and Senior Commercial Calf Championships, all boasting huge prize funds up to €1,800.

Pedigree classes for Shorthorn, Simmental, Belgian Blue, Charolais, Limousin and Angus will take place, and qualifier class for the 2025 All Ireland Intermediate Stockperson qualifier will be held on the day.

The poultry section will see almost 40 classes, with All-Ireland qualifiers for the True and Rare Bantam Breeding Pair Chickens, and the Soft Feather Heavy Breeding Pair Chickens.

There will be the usual much-loved horse, pony and gymkhana competitions including the All-Ireland three year old Registered Irish Draught Filly Championship Final, and the A. Browne Filly Foal All-Ireland qualifier.

The much-loved dog section will be back taking entries on the day with classes for a huge selection of breeds including the Dog Safe Fence Connaught Championship final.

There will also be roughly 200 classes in the produce, horticulture, flowers, cookery, crafts, woodwork, Senior art, and Special Needs sections.

The competition classes for Juniors includes pets, crafts, horticulture, cookery, and Primary School’s competition sections.

Overall, the Bonniconlon Agricultural Show has something for everyone.