THE Castlewellan Show is now open for entries across over 300 classes with a deadline of Wednesday 19 June .
Fidelma Carolan explained that Castlewellan Show now has a brand new website aimed at families with a ‘kid’s zone’ as well as the ability to download schedules and entry forms. She added that the Show already has a good presence on social media on Facebook and Twitter with over 5000 followers.
www.castlewellanshow.comMedia officer Fidelma Carolan said: “We are delighted with the new site, it has a very fresh feel and is a great shop window to profile our activities, as well as offering our sponsors additional exposure. This year’s sponsors’ evening featured The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer as guest speaker and he will be visiting the grounds on the day. BBC broadcaster Karen Patterson has come on board as the Show’s first ever patron, having been a regular visitor to the Show over the years with her father Aubrey who is a well known Holstein breeder.
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Visit the Castlewellan Show on Saturday 13 July.[/caption]
“The Show will play host to the prestigious All-Ireland Bull and Heifer Derby Limousin final, the National Hereford Show, British Blue Young Bull, Beef Shorthorn National Championship and Blonde Calf Championship. In addition an Irish Moiled cattle class will feature for the first time and there will be a display of Parthenaise cattle. The dairy classes go from strength to strength and Mr Thomas Schulte-Lohmoeller from Germany is coming over to judge the entries. A new back to back two-day goat show has been introduced with milking on the Friday morning and evening.”
Fidelma added: “Castlewellan continues to attract large numbers of horses, ranging from miniature to agricultural horses with classes throughout the day for Non Thoroughbred, Half Bred, Irish draughts, hunters, ponies and donkey classes. We are delighted to have Coolmore Stud sponsoring this year’s Search for A Star Young Horse Championship with Scotland’s Elizabeth Boon judging.
“Sheep classes attract great numbers making Castlewellan the largest one-day sheep show in Ireland. In addition to the Hampshire Down National Championship, Interbreed Championship and the Pair of Ewe Lambs Championship, there are new Black Face classes. The Ulster Wools Group Fleece Competition will once again showcases the best of Ulster wool and on the day there will be an opportunity for children to have a hands on experience of weaving with Dorothy McMullan.”
Lasy year pigs proved a great draw for spectators and will feature again with classes for junior boar, sow, senior gilt and junior gilt and be a qualifying show for the Pig Derby.
The poultry classes have grown in popularity and this year they are 117 different sections for hard and soft feather birds. Dog agility is one of the main draws for spectators with pure bred and mixed breed dogs put through their paces over a range of fences, hurdles, see-saws through tunnels and round the weaves.
The home industries section attracts the greatest number of entries and has been an excellent way of getting school children involved in the show from P1 to P7. There is a great array of classes for adults and children including jams and chutneys, home baking and photography, handcraft classes and art. The family fun competition theme is “Billy Goat Gruff” with a scarecrow competition for family entries. The always very competitive Women’s Institute category this year is ‘A Grand Day Out’. A new exciting venture on the field is our Fashion Vintage Tea tent generously supported by the world renowned Magee Clothing brand.
“The Show is very grateful for the many local sponsors who are supporting the various classes and you can check them out on our website,” added Fidelma. “If previous prize winners have any perpetual cups and trophies, please return them to the Show Secretary Jackie Fitzpatrick
Jackiecastlewellanshow@gmail.com 02840638087. You can keep in touch with what’s happening on our Facebook and Twitter pages and on our website
www.castlewellanshow.com
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