Sunshine and crowds expected at annual Castlewellan Show

Sunshine and crowds expected at annual Castlewellan Show

10 July 2013

WITH sunshine forecast for the weekend, Castlewellan Show is gearing to for bumper crowds on Saturday.

Over 50 acres of picturesque Castlewellan Forest Park will host over 140 trade stands and dog agility demonstration alongside the traditional agricultural show events of competitions in the cattle, sheep, goat, poultry and pig sectors.

There is a real focus this year on enabling children to get close to a range of animals with kid goats, the NI Rabbit Club, Sunnyland beagles, flying falcons, the World of Owls roadshow and an array of livestock. The County Down Young Farmers are set to entertain the crowds with tug of war, tractor driving and games.

There is already lots of interest in the fashion show and vintage tea tent which will feature the Magee clothing range and raise funds for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children. Judges will be circulating for the Show’s Best Dressed Lady and Best Dressed Gentlemen and The Apprentice’s Nick Hewer will be on the field with his film crew capturing Show highlights for an autumn edition of Farm Fixer.

There are over 440 entries for the show jumping classes but riders can still enter the unaffiliated jumping competition on the day which is organised by Mossvale Riding Club.

The Coolmore Search for a Young Horse championship has attracted a high calibre field and the P Turley Ridden Hunter classes have increased this year. Entries for the Working Hunter horse and pony classes supported by Burrendale Hotel and Spa, First Trust Bank, Fresh Food Castlewellan and Redmills are popular as ever.

The cattle section includes five major championships — the All Ireland Bull & Heifer Derby Limousin final, Ulster Bank National Hereford Show and Bank of Ireland Beef Shorthorn National, Blonde Calf and British Blue Young Bull championships. The other classes are well subscribed with over 500 quality cattle registered for the day ensur-

ing a high level of competition.

Once again Castlewellan continues to have the most sheep entries for a one day show with almost 700 across 22 classes including the national for the Hampshire Downs. The Danske Bank Interbreed championship and the Norbrook Pair of Ewe Lambs are always the most closely watched events.

The new two day back-to-back goat class has resulted in an increase in entries supported by the Goat Club, O’Rourke Timber and The Dealer, and Churchview Goats are bringing along some kid goats for children (and adults) to handle.

The pig section, supported by Walter Watson engineering, is growing in popularity and the poultry classes are varied and promise a good visitor attraction. Great to see have John Thompson & Sons Ltd, P Murphy, Poultry Dealer, Crossgar Foodservice, GB Poultry, and Bailey’s Judy Maxwell on board as sponsors.

The Show runs all day, admission is £10 for adults, £5 for Young Farmers (with their card), and under 16s go free. There is no charge for parking. For a full list of trade stands and attractions, go to the website www.castlewellanshow.com