Countdown on for Claremorris Agricultural Show this bank holiday weekend
THE countdown is on for the 106th Claremorris Agricultural Show and Trade Fair on bank holiday Sunday, August 2, with the show committee and volunteers working hard to ensure that this year's event will be one of the largest and most successful in its long history dating back to the early years of the last century.
The show embraces the modern with the traditional, providing the ideal opportunity for people of all ages to meet face to face in a friendly and welcoming environment.
The show will be held at Claremorris Athletic Grounds (Eircode F12 KX63), boasting a large outdoor area and indoor exhibition centre commonly known locally as the 'Racecourse' or indeed the 'Showgrounds'.
The show boasts a wide variety of offerings with over 275 show classes, including cattle, sheep, horses, vintage, farm and garden, cookery art and crafts, dog show and many others. There will be music in the marquee again throughout the afternoon.
This year's show will be officially opened at 2 p.m. by former Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte who served as Minister for Communications,Energy and Natural Resources from 2011 to 2014. Pat started life just a few miles outside Claremorris, born in Woodstock, Ballindine, and he attended St. Colmans College, Claremorris.
Celebrity TV Chef Adrian will again present his cookery demo while there will be a first show appearance for Sarah Butler, the very popular TV cookery personality and author who will also do a number of cookery demonstrations throughout the afternoon in the exhibition centre.
There are many forms of children's free entertainment including the very popular bouncy castles and small animal farm.
The show committee are very pleased to have Corrib Oil as main sponsors for a fifth year, and working together all are aiming to build on the record-breaking shows of recent years. The locally based company are in a unique position to supply financial, logistical, promotional and media support to this event.
SARAH BUTLER
The committee is delighted have just announced a number of exciting features to enhance this year’s event for all ages. It will include a first appearance at the show for Sarah Butler.
Sarah is a Mayo-based chef, best-selling cookbook author, and food content creator with a passion for making home cooking simple, delicious, and achievable for busy families. Through her popular cookbooks, television appearances with RTÉ Today Show, live cookery demonstrations, and online community, Sarah shares easy, family-friendly recipes using fresh, everyday ingredients.
While this will be Sarah's first time to participate at Claremorris Show she will be teaming up with Chef Adrian, the Virgin Media TV personality, a regular for many years in the exhibition hall.
It certainly will be a unique treat for cookery and food enthusiasts of all ages.
TV-IRELAND
This year Henry McGlade and the team from TV-Ireland will be on site throughout the day capturing the action and atmosphere along with interviews, etc., for later transmission.
The popular TV station broadcasts on Sky channel 588 and Freeview channel 279 on Tuesdays at 8.30 p.m., commanding a worldwide audience.
FIRE SERVICES DEMO
The personnel of Claremorris Fire Brigade will once again be on site from 12 noon onwards performing various drills including demos on fire prevention and other risks.
Of course, they will engage with the public on any queries they may have on the fire service.
‘GOLDEN TICKET’
The show day raffle has always proven popular among patrons with lots of sponsored prizes of various values up for grabs. This draw is enhanced this year meaning that the first prize winner will receive the 'Golden Ticket' - something that should be attractive to people of all ages in attendance on the day.
GREAT WELLIE RACE
While wellington throwing has proven popular at many events over many years this new event involving the famous boot should prove equally as popular among people of all ages. Entries on the day, with a prize fund and trophies on offer.
SHOW TRANSPORT
The show committee are again this year promoting strong Smarter Travel initiatives as follows:
1. A free shuttle bus rotating throughout the day to and from the showground from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with pick up and drop off stops at both Claremorris Town Square and railway station carpark;
2. The committee are also encouraging people from the neighbouring towns including Ballyhaunis, Castlebar and Westport and Ballina to take the train to Claremorris. Of course, this would link up with the above mentioned free shuttle bus to the showground entrance gate, ensuring a hassle free and enjoyable experience;
3. Also, as part of the Show Smarter initiative people are encouraged (if weather conditions permit) to walk the mile or so from the town centre to the showgrounds, something that was very popular in the past. A huge investment of around €2 million by Mayo County Council in recent years has seen a huge upgrade of road and footpath and sidewalk infrastructure linking the town by way of the Balla Road and Knock Road to the Showground area.
Full updates and information on Claremorris Show 2026 are available on claremorrisshow.com and Facebook, and also from show secretary Maureen Finnerty at (087) 9241450 or email claremorrisagshow@yahoo.ie.